FCLAA

Monday, February 10, 2014

Writers' Group

This is how I've been feeling for the last couple months - although now the weather may be about to change.

I’m Dreaming of Some Warm Weather (with apologies to Irving Berlin)

The snow is falling
The ground is white
It’s been so many a week.
The southland we may seek,
But it’s January, the twenty fourth,
And winter goes on here in the north.

I’m dreaming of some warm weather,
Just like we’ve had in summers past,
Where the treetops blossom
And children frolic, so glad for the swim season to last.

We need parkas, boots and mittens,
Scarves, vests for the kittens.
To survive the polar vortex,
We made sure to wear our Gore-Tex.
To plow snow we need a tractor;
Don’t forget the wind chill factor.

I’m dreaming of some warm weather
With every snowflake that I see.
May your days be merry and bright
And every evening long and filled with light.
---Kay Carlsen

Thursday, February 6, 2014

February happenings

February is here - I don’t know if that means we’ve turned the corner and will be soon leaving this frigid and snowy weather behind, but we can always hope so.
However, I do know there is an exciting event coming up at the Fosston Community Library Arts Center - Kid Jam will be held on Friday, February 14, beginning at 7 p.m. Twenty-four of Eric Olson’s guitar and drum students will be performing in five different bands for this event: Triple S, Boys n Black, Skittle Dragons, Backwoods Boys, and one more yet to be named.
Instrumentation includes guitar, bass, and drums, plus something electronic called DJ/Beat Creation, apparently done on a I pad. Musical styles include country, classic rock and pop. Three of these bands performed nine shows last year in schools, coffee shops, community centers, and other venues. If you’re looking for a new and different way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, this just might be it.
The appropriately-named “Hot Reads for Cold Nights” adult winter reading program continues. There are weekly prize drawings - for every four books you read or listen to, you have a chance to win and what better way to spend a winter evening than curling up in the recliner with a good book and maybe a cat on your lap. The library doesn’t supply cats though, you’re on your own for that.
Make one of the books you read Songs of Willow Frost and then plan to attend the Fosston Library Book Club in Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 7 p.m. It’s always enjoyable to discuss the book we’ve read with others and enjoy a cup of coffee (or a glass of water if you’re not a coffee drinker).
If you’re an aspiring writer, you’re welcome to join the Fosston Library Writers’ Group on Thursday, Feb. 27, at 7:30 p.m. You may come even if you haven’t yet written a line. Who knows, this just might be the inspiration you’re seeking.
One last little reminder - the library will be closed in Monday, Feb. 17, in observation of Presidents Day.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Tim Lamey photographs

Landscape photographs by Tim Lamey are currently on display in the Sorenson Gallery

Thursday, January 9, 2014

January 2014

It’s January 2014 – with the temperature in the 20 below range again this morning,as it seemed to be for most of December too. I saw deer tracks on the sidewalk near my house, so perhaps Bambi is already looking for food in town. (Unless Rudolph got lost on Christmas Eve and is still wandering around.) At any rate, “Hot Reads for Cold Nights,” the adult winter reading program which begin on January 2 at the Fosston Library, seems quite appropriate. Sign up now, read four books or listen to four audio books, and you have a chance to win one of the weekly prizes. The program will continue through March, and hopefully by April the cold nights will be over.

While you are at the library signing up for the Hot Reads program and checking out your books, take a few moments to visit the Sorenson Gallery and see the current display of fine art photography by Tim Lamey. There are scenes from Minnesota, North Dakota, and even from Ireland, all very well done.

If you’ve always wanted to know more about the workings of the Fosston Community Library Arts Association, here’s your chance. The FCLAA annual meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 8, at 7 p.m. at the Sorenson Gallery. It’s open to all members and prospective members, too. Refreshments will be served.

If you’re a mom with young children, here’s an opportunity for you. A Mom to Mom group will be meeting the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the library. The program for this first meeting, which will be on Thursday, Jan. 9, will be presented by Terri Lundell. It’s a chance for mothers to leave the kiddies at home and connect with other moms. For more information, call the library at 435-1320.

Book club meets Tuesday, Jan 14, at 7 p.m. This month’s selection is A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon. Even if we don’t always like every book we read, we always enjoy the discussion – and the coffee – and usually some goodies, too. Make plans to join the group now in the new year.

Another group you are welcome to join, especially if your New Year’s resolutions included finally getting started on that memoir you plan to write, is the Fosston Writer’s group. The next meeting is Thursday, Jan. 23, at 7:30 p.m. If you think you may be interested, you may just show up, with or without a sample of your writing.

One last reminder – the library will be closed on Monday, January 20, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Writers' Group

In honor of the upcoming holiday, here's the poem I brought to the last meeting of the Fosston Writers' Group:

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

Not long before Christmas

We went on a quest.

We wanted a fresh tree,

The one we’d like best.

So off in the pickup

We went to a place

To chop down our own tree -

The fun’s in the chase.

We found one so bushy

So full and so nice

It filled up the truck box

And cheap was the price.

My husband got busy

He trimmed it on top,

And also the bottom

He needed to chop.

It came in the front door.

It just was too big

To drag all through the house.

This was no little sprig.

It fit in the front room

With little space left.

Was the tilt to one side

All from the tree’s heft?

“There’s a crack in the stand,”

My husband exclaimed.

“We best buy a new one,”

He also proclaimed.

“Computer-designed,” it

Said on the label,

With some other claims, too,

Each one a fable.

It was quite a struggle;

We transferred the tree

To the super new stand.

We were now worry free.

After one night, we were

Ready to trim it.

With help from the grandkids

It soon could be lit.

The baby was napping

In his daddy’s arms.

The kittens slept soundly -

No cause for alarms.

Decorations were hung,

Lots near the bottom,

By the other three kids.

They all put on some.

We opened some presents

And did some cleaning.

Then looked at the tree - It

Seemed to be leaning.

“Oh, no, it was like that,”

My husband replied.

“The wonderful tree stand

Will ever abide.”

A few minutes later,

Hearing a tinkle,

We rushed to the room

And saw a new wrinkle.

The tree had now fallen;

It lay on its side -

Ornaments all scattered

So far and so wide.

With huffing and puffing

We righted the tree,

Redecorated it

Swell as can be.

‘Twas only a moment

The tree stood upright.

Again it fell over.

There was no delight.

We vacuumed up needles,

Also some water.

Those tree stand designers

We wanted to slaughter.

And after that Christmas

We went to the store

And we bought a fake tree

To use evermore.
---Kay Carlsen

Thursday, December 5, 2013

December at the Arts Center

Ah, December - winter is here, Christmas is coming, and there are some exciting events on the calendar at the Fosston Community Library Art Center.
The Great Northern Radio Show is coming to Fosston. This live stage production featuring musicians, storytellers, and radio theater will be broadcast from the arts center theater on Saturday, Dec. 14. The show begins at 5 p.m. but audience members must by seated by 4:30. Hosted by Aaron Brown, author and college instructor, the program, which was launched in October 2011, has been produced at various sites throughout northern Minnesota. The featured musical guests for the performance will be Reina del Cid & the Cidizens. You may want to listen to KBXE (90.5) for more details on this special event.
On Sunday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m. Orland Aspen’s vocal students will present their annual Christmas recital. Students of all ages will be singing some of your favorite Christmas songs to help you get into that holiday spirit. Refreshments will be served at this free program.
The book club will also be thinking Christmas when it meets on Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m. This month’s selection is The Christmas Sweater by Glen Beck. Pick up a copy of the book at the library and join us. There will be coffee and maybe some goodies too.
Writers’ group will be meeting on Thursday, Dec. 5, at 7:30 p.m. Will there be a Christmas theme? One never knows, but it’s always interesting to see what the members have brought to share with the group. If you think you might be interested, come and see what it’s all about. You don’t even need to bring any of your writing, at least the first time you come.
If you are interested in making your own gift tags, Cheryl Winkelmann will be at the library at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12, to help you do just that. This craft is suitable for all ages.
Family fun time continues at the library every Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. December’s sessions include Deck the Halls on Dec. 4, Holiday BINGO on Dec. 11, and gift wrap activities on Dec. 18.
The library will be closing at noon on Dec. 24 and will of course be closed Christmas Day. It will be open regular hours for the rest of that week. On New Year’s Eve, the library will close at 5 p.m. and will be closed on New Year’s Day as well.