Rick Paulin paintings

June, June, June

As the song says, “June is busting out all over,” and at the Aurora Center for the Arts, all sorts of fun activities are busting out as well, so much so that some are busting into other locations. The Aurora Center is once again sponsoring the Music on the Porch concert series on Thursday evenings at the East Polk Heritage Center. These free concerts begin at 7 p.m. You may want to bring your own chair although some seating is available at the picnic tables under the shelter. The first concert is June 19 with The WoodPicks, From Thief River Falls, this talented group plays gospel, bluegrass, country and Americana music. They should be a great choice to kick off the season. There will be no concert on June 26, as that is when “Alice in Wonderland, Jr.” will be presented at the Aurora Center, directed by Abby Pearson and featuring 20 high school-aged actors. Tickets will be available soon at Nords Pharmacy and Gifts and online at auroracenterforthearts.org Kirby Voesler will be teaching several summer rec art classes for kids ages five through twelve. These will be held in the art area of the Aurora basement. For adults there will be a couple of opportunities at the Old School Artist Retreat Center in Lengby; Leatherwork with Janette McColl on Saturday, June 21, 9a.m.-5p.m., and Hard Cover Journal with Mike McColl on Monday and Tuesday, June 23-24, 7-8:30 p.m. There is a fee charged for these classes. To sign up online, go to bit.ly/AuroraArtClass or for more information, e-mail hello@auroracenterforthearts.org Meanwhile, at the Fosston Public Library, Wild about Reading, the 2025 summer reading program, began on June 1. Children and teens are invited to pick up a reading log to be eligible for some great prizes at the end of the summer. In addition, there are several free programs, all on Wednesdays at 2 p.m., starting June 4 with Bemidji Headwater’s Science Center staff and some of their animals. Learn about animals’ habitats, defenses, adaptations, and proper handling. June 11 is Wild about Wheels. Kids are invited to get a close look at some community work vehicles. The June 18 program is at the Fosston Movie Theater. Admission is free for a showing of The Lion King. (But concession charges are the responsibility of the attendees. On June 25, a park naturalist from Itasca State Park will present Let’s Get Wild with Animal Signs. What signs do wild animals leave behind? July 2 Dazzling Dave Yo-Yo Master will be at the library to share his expertise with the yo-yo. Perhaps he will inspire your kids (or yourself) to give it a try.

It's May

It’s May. That means green grass, singing birds, and music at the Aurora Center for the Arts. On Sunday, May 11, Jeff Menten’s guitar and string students, along with my piano students, will present their yearly recital. Everyone is welcome to attend the 3 p.m. program with refreshments served. This is a free event. On Saturday, May 17, or in Norwegian Syttende Mai, Project Constellation, a violin/guitar due from Grand Forks, will be playing Scandinavian music at 2:00 p.m. Norwegian goodies will be served in the lobby beginning at 1 p.m. This free event is sponsored by the East Polk Heritage Center and the Sons of Norway Granlund Lodge. The new exhibit in the Sorenson Gallery, coming up in May, will be watercolors by Crookston artist Ross Hier. He retired from the Minnesota DNR in 2016 but has been doing art all his life. His subject matter ranges from landscapes to sporting scenes to birdlife. Tryouts for the high school summer musical, “Disney’s Alice in Wonderland,” directed by Abby Pearson, were scheduled to be held Tuesday, May 6. Performances will be held June 25-28. Kirby Vossler will be directing “Space Pirates” during July and August for students in grades 3-6. Also, there will be a week-long summer theater camp for students aged 7-14, held August 18-22. Further information may be found in the summer rec packets or at auroracenterforthearts.org. Meanwhile, at the Fosston Library, book club will meet Tuesday, May 20, at 2 p.m. for coffee, treats, and conversation. This month’s book is All We Were Promised by Ashton Lattimore. This will be the final session before summer break. Also, the Family Resource Center is up and running in the library basement. Open on Wednesdays from noon to 5 p.m., this one-stop shop provides a place for area families to connect with different services , including economic assistance, child support, and Career Force. All services provided by Polk County are free to the public. The library will be closed Monday, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day. Remember that in June, the summer reading program begins. The theme this year is Wild about Reading, and once again children and teenagers of all ages will have a chance to qualify for some great prizes by reading books. That’s what I call a win-win situation.

Does April mean it is spring?

Does April that mean spring is here? The robins are back, and most of the snow is gon,e so if there aren’t any April Fool jokes from Mother Nature perhaps it is. At any rate, there are plenty of good things happening at the Aurora Center for the Arts and the Fosston Library to distract you from any worries about the weather. Paintings by Bagley artist Rick Paulin are currently on display at the Sorenson Gallery. These beautiful Minnesota landscapes make use of light and shadow to really come to life. There will be a reception for the artist on Thursday, April 10, from 5:00-6:30. On Sunday, April 13, the high school speech students will be hosting a speech soiree from 1-4 p.m. The public is invited and there will be refreshments. Stephanie Anderson will be teaching an embroidery class on Tuesday, April 22. Not sure about the time on this. Watch for more details. The East Polk Family Resource Center has its grand opening on Wednesday, April 16. They will be using the basement space on Wednesdays from noon to six to connect with local families. Looking ahead to summe,r there will be several children’s theater opportunities coming up – “Alice in Wonderland Jr.” in June for high school students, “Space Pirates” in July/August for elementary school students, and a Shakespeare drama camp August 18-22 for young people ages seven through 14. Tryouts for “Alice in Wonderland” will be held Thursday, May 8, at 3:30. For more information email hello@auroracenterforthearts.org Meanwhile, at the Fosston Library, book club meets Tuesday, April 15, at 2 p.m. This month’s book is Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative. It tells the story of Walter McMillian, sentenced to die for a murder he didn’t commit. If you need a copy of the book, contact the library. Also on April 15, at 6 p.m., there will be a performance of Imagination Theater, a family-friendly show featuring puppetry, poetry, songs, stories and audience participation. Appropriate for all ages, the presentation is especially geared for children ages 3-10. On Friday, April 25, at 1 p.m. Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota will present information about advanced directives for both healthcare and property, as well as powers of attorney.

Andy Hall photos

The month of March

The month of March brings the beginning of meteorological spring, although here in Minnesota it is often the season categorized as “still winter.” I’m not quite sure what will happen this year, but I do know there are several good things to look forward to at the Aurora Center for the Arts and the Fosston Library. Coming soon, on Friday, March 7, at 7 p.m. is a concert by Scott Jasmin and the Gracenotes. Midwest Americana music by Scott, who presented one of last summer’s Concerts on the Porch at the Heritage Center, should make for a fun evening. Tickets are available at Nord’s or online at auroracenterforthearts.org While you are there for the concert, be sure to visit the Sorenson Gallery to see the display by Crookston-based photographer, Andy Hall. His large-scale still life images of botanicals are gorgeous. The exhibit will be up until mid-month. If you can’t make the concert, the gallery is open during library hours. If you would like to create you own art, there is a watercolor class with Ivy Bailie on Tuesday, March 25. For more information or to register, e-mail hello@auroracenterforthearts.org or call 218-432-6479. There is a charge for the class. Another interesting program, this one sponsored by the Lake Agassiz Regional Library with funding from the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund, is scheduled for Friday, March 28, at 11 a.m. Minnesota photographer and author Jay Grammond will present “Barn Storming: Minnesota’s Barns and Barn Quilts.” No charge for this one. The library book club meets Tuesday, March 18, at 2 p.m. This month’s book is Hello Stranger by Katherine Center. Contact the library to obtain a copy of the book. I would like to welcome Margie Illies to the Aurora Center board. Although she is originally from St. Paul, Margie and her husband Nathan now live on a small farm in the area with cows, cats, a dog and three children. She owns The Ginger Junker, an antique and vintage home goods store in McIntosh, is an artist (primarily drawing and photography) and does some ghostwriting. She says, “Art is something that connects all of us as humans. I am thrilled to be on the board for the Aurora Center.”

And Now It's February

February is here, which means that winter should be over in a couple of months, with luck, that is. The Aurora Center for the Arts board has reorganized and is gearing up for lots of great things in 2025. The board officers are Kirby Vossler - president, Kip Fontaine – vice president, Maggie Stewart – treasurer, and Karen Norland – secretary. Other board members are Kate Moore, Mike Mulry, Carrie Carlin and Margie Illies. Abby Pearson is executive director, replacing Bonnie Stewart, who has been involved with the arts center for 20 years. Programing for the coming year includes art classes for adults and children, summer theater, a Scott Jasmin concert on March 7, and Music on the Porch in June and July. Watch for more information. New board members Carrie Carlin and Margy Illies replace long-time secretary Joanne Papke and Mike McColl, who stepped down to work with his newly-formed non-profit in Lengby. A Fosston native, Carrie Carlin currently teaches second grade at Magelssen Elementary School here in Fosston. She is a graduate of Bemidji State University and has lived in Fosston all her life except for a stint as a nanny out east. She and her husband Danny have two children. Tony is a sophomore at BSU, and Allison a junior at Fosston High School. Allison’s involvement in drama led to Carrie’s interest in the art center. She is impressed with the wonderful opportunities the Aurora Center offers and looks forward to serving on the board. Meanwhile, at the Fosston library, the Book Blizzard continues through the month. Pick up a form, read four books and have a chance to win a prize. Hopefully that will be the only blizzard we have this month. Book club meets Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 2 p.m. This month’s book is From Somalia to Snow. The author Hudda Ibrahim is a faculty member at St. Cloud Technical and Community College. The book is her attempt help the reader understand the lives and culture of the Somali population in central Minnesota. I haven’t read it yet, but I am looking forward to learning something. Anyone is welcome to attend – there will be coffee and goodies. Bingo for the kiddies will be Wednesday, Feb. 19, at 3:30. There are prizes so it‘s a popular event. One final reminder – The library will be closed on Monday, February 17, in observance of Presidents Day.