Mosaics by DeeDee Narrum

July - It must be summertime

July – it might be summertime when the living is easy, but there is plenty of activity at the Aurora Center for the Arts and the Fosston Library. Music on the Porch, sponsored by the Aurora Center and held outdoors at the East Polk Heritage Center, is back, with five concerts during the month of July. These free performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday evenings. The lineup includes Annie Humphrey on July 2, the Scott Jasmin Band on July 9, Jordan Messerole on July 16, Aurora Musical Showcase on July 23, and AcoustoFiddle on July 30. Back at the Aurora Center theater, 24 talented young performers in grades three-six will be rehearsing throughout the month for “Olympus; the Greek Rock Musical,” which will be performed July 30 and 31 at 7 p.m. and August 1 at 3 p.m. The story follows a group of Greek gods who interact with a group of mortals out on a hike. There are catchy songs and plenty of humor. It should be great fun. Director is Kirby Vossler. Kirby also taught some summer art classes at the center. Student works are currently featured at the Sorenson Gallery. Stop in and take a look. Meanwhile, at the Fosston Library, the summer reading program continues through the month. There is still time for kids, ages 0-18, to pick up a reading log, do some reading or listening, and have a chance at some great prizes. There are other activities as well. Wednesday, July 8, teens may make a micromosaic pendant from noon to 4 p.m. There is no change for this project although registration is required by calling the library (218-435-1320). The following week (July 15-23) the Learning Express Trailer from Prairie Public TV will be available with lots of fun activities all day. On Wednesday, July 22, “Let’s Make Bread and Butter! This program is held at the East Polk Heritage Center at 2:00 p.m. On Tuesday, July 28, also at 2:00 p.m., “Pint-size Polkas” will be held on the library grounds (or at the elementary school gym if it rains). For the adults, library book club will meet on Tuesday, July 21, at 2 p.m. This month’s book is Sandwich by Catherine Newman. Contact the library to obtain a copy. And, of course, the library will be closed on July 4th. Happy 250th birthday to the USA!

June!

June! All of a sudden, we are in full-blown summer, with green grass, flowering trees and 80-degree temperatures. At the Aurora Center for the Arts and the Fosston Library there are plenty of great summertime activities. Rehearsals are underway for “Sound of Music,” which is scheduled to be performed June 24-28. The show features students in 7th-12th grades, and so many kids turned out for audition, the entire show was double cast. Watch for details about tickets. The roof remodel is still pending, so the new seats will probably not be installed by the time of the show. Chairs are still available for sponsorship. Check auroracenterforthearts.org for more information. The Summer Art Classes will be held during the month. Kirby Vossler will be teaching these classes for ages 5-12. Students will paint, draw and sculpt with a variety of media. Contact Abby Pearson at hello@auroracenterforthearts.org for more info. Meanwhile at the Fosston Library, the summer reading program, “Reading Is Timeless,” kicked off June 1. Kids of all ages (or their parents) are invited to pick up a reading log at the library and track their reading time to be eligible for some great prizes. In addition, there are some free events scheduled throughout the summer. June 8-13 students are invited to pick up a let’s paint kit. Small cement sculptures or sun catchers are available to take home and complete. All materials are included. Staff from Itasca State Park will be at the library on Wednesday, June 24, at 2 p.m. with a presentation entitled “Nature Is Timeless,” and on Monday, June 29, also at 2:00 p.m. Stephanie Frisk of McIntosh, with some help from her daughters, will do a presentation called “Living Like Laura.” That’s Laura Ingalls Wilder (Little House on the Prairie) which should appeal to fans of those books. Preschool storytime will continue at 10:30 a.m. Mondays through June 22. Weather permitting, it will be held at Berge Stafford Park on June 8, 15, and 22. For the adults, book club will continue through the summer, meeting this month on Tuesday, June 16, at 2 p.m. This month’s book is Dear Jacob by Patty Wetterling. Contact the library to obtain a copy. The library has a state park pass that may be reserved a week in advance if it’s available. There is only one, so it may be in use, but it doesn’t hurt to check.

It's May

It’s May and once again at the Aurora Center for the Arts, that means music, as my piano students and Jeff Menten’s string and guitar students have a recital coming up on Sunday May 10, at 3 p.m. However, there is a change of venue this year. Because the Aurora Center theater is currently without seats as it awaits repairs to the leaky roof, the recital will be held at Kingo Lutheran Church. The program is free and open to the public and will be followed by light refreshments. There are some exciting events scheduled for the summer. “The Sound of Music” will be presented June 24-28 by youth seventh through twelfth graders. Tryouts were scheduled for Monday, May 4. The younger students (3rd-6th graders) will have their turn July 30-August 1, with “Olympus (the Greek Rock Musical). Tryouts will be held on May 17 at 2:00 p.m. Also coming up are summer art classes for K-6th graders to be held in June and a kids’ drama camp for ages 7-14 to be held August 17-21. Meanwhile, at the Fosston Library, there will be a special program on Friday, May 8, at 2 p.m. Minnesota author and historian Steve Hoffbeck will talk about Colonel William Colvill, a Civil War hero from Red Wing. Hoffbeck’s book, “Colvill Smiled,” brings the legendary deeds of the First Minnesota Regiment to life. This program is funded by the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund so there is no cost to attend. Library Book Club will meet Tuesday, May 19, at 2 p.m. This month’s book is “The Lost Story” by Meg Shaffer. Described as “a fairy tale for grownups,” the book features best friends Jeremy and Rafe and their time in a magical realm. Contact the library for a copy of the book. For the younger set, bingo for the kids is scheduled for Wednesday, May 20, after school. “Reading Is Timeless,” the 2026 summer reading program, is scheduled to begin June 1. Kids can stop by the library to pick up a reading log and view some of the great prizes on display. Watch for information about programs on the schedule as well. One more thing: the library will be closed on Monday, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day.

April fool, April showers

April Fool, April showers, April love – What will it be? I guess we will find out as April is here. I can’t predict the future, but I can tell you what is coming up at the Aurora Center for the Arts and the Fosston Library for the month of April. The third-grade musical will be held in the theater the first week of April. Hopefully we won’t have too many April showers – I don’t think the roof is completely waterproof yet. There is usually a full house for that event with all the parents and grandparents, but if you want to watch there may be a spot for you. On Thursday, April 9, DeeDee Narum will be teaching participants to create a beautiful glass suncatcher. Anyone 15 or older is welcome. Materials are all provided. Learn layout, adhesive tehniques, and finishing methods. Leave with a completed piece readyto hang in a sunny window. Register at the Aurora Center for the Arts website. There is a fee. Narum is a mosaic artist living in Bemidji. Her work is often inspired by her garden and the natural world. It has been showcased at Minnesota galleries in Bemidji, Grand Rapids, Brainerd, and Aitken. She will have an exhibit at the Sorenson Gallery at the Aurora Center coming soon in the newly repainted gallery. If working with glass sounds too intimidating, and painting a little less so, the Fosston Library is hosting a barn quilt painting workshop on Tuesday, April 7, from 2-5 p.m. Mary Jo Schmid from Crooked Lane Farm Folk School is the instructor. At this point, the class is filled. However, if you would like to take a chance on the waiting list, call the Fosston Library at 218-435-1320. Materials are provided for this free workshop. The library book club will meet Tuesday, April 21, at 2 p.m. This month’s book is The Stolen Child by Ann Hood. I haven’t read it yet, but apparently it features secrets, love lost and found and the nature of forgiveness. Contact the library to obtain a copy of the book. Everyone is welcome. No waiting lest. Bingo for the kiddos is scheduled for Wednesday, April 15. It’s always a popular event because everyone loves a chance to win a prize.

March is Here

March is here –it’s probably still winter, but spring should be on its way. At the Aurora Center for the Arts, there is still time to view the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council traveling exhibit, which will be on display at the Sorenson Gallery through mid-month. The display features work by artists from Ada, Argyle, Badger, Climax, Crookston, Grygla, Hallock, Karlstad, Lancaster, Red Lake Falls, and Thief River Falls. There are paintings (acrylic, pastel, and watercolor), a photograph, an ink print, sculptures, a drawing, and a couple of mixed media pieces so there is something for everyone. The gallery is open during library hours. The next artist represented in the gallery will be DeeDee Narum who does incredible mosaic work. She will also be teaching a mosaic suncatcher class on April 9. On Friday, March 20, there will be a sculpture class for students taught by Heidi Danos. There is no school for the kids on that day so this should be a good alternative. There is a cost for this workshop with sign-up available online at auroracenterforthearts.org. Meanwhile, at the Fosston Library, book club will meet on Tuesday, March 17, at 2 p.m. Although that is St. Patrick’s Day, the book to be discussed has nothing to do with Ireland. The Song Poet by Kao Kalia Yang is the story of Bee Yang, a Hmong refugee in Minnesota. It should be an interesting read. I haven’t read it yet but am looking forward to it. Of course, there will be refreshments. On Wednesday, March 18, there will be after school bingo for the kids. That’s always a popular activity. While you are waiting for spring to show up, check out a book or two from the library. Remember that if you don’t see what you are looking for on the shelves, you can request most anything you can imagine to be sent from another location. The library also has DVDs and magazines. If you like jigsaw puzzles, there is a puzzle exchange (take one home, bring one to share, or both).

February is Here

February is here – by the time you read this, Groundhog Day will be past. I’m not sure that means spring is just around the corner, but winter must be at least half over. Be that as it may, there are always good things going on at the Aurora Center for the Arts and the Fosston Library. The traveling exhibit from the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council will be coming this month. It includes 14 original pieces by regional adult and student artists. I’m not quite sure just when it will open – keep checking. The Aurora Center board welcomed a new member at its annual meeting in January: Robb Kopp, recently retired Methodist pastor. He and his wife Michelle Miller (Mickey), also a retired pastor, are now living here in Fosston. Robb majored in theater arts at the University of Minnesota, and in addition to being a pastor, has also worked as a registered nurse. He served on the board of the Thief Rive Falls Area Community Theater and looks forward to helping promote the arts here in Fosston. Other current board members are Kirby Vossler – president, Kip Fontaine- vice president, Maggie Stewart – treasurer, Karen Norland – secretary, Carrie Carlin, Mike Mulry, Magie Illies, and Dawn Crane. The Sponsor a Chair program for the theater is still going strong, about a third of the way there. If you are interested in helping out, contact Abby Pearson at hello@auroracenterforthearts.com Unfortunately, the roof in the theater has started leaking again, so that has to be taken care of before the chairs can be installed. Registration for this year’s art classes will be open soon. Dee Dee Narum will be teaching a stained glass suncatcher class in April. Watch for more information. Meanwhile, at the Fosston Library, the book club will meet Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 2 p.m. This month’s book is Tom Lake by Ann Patchett. I haven’t read it yet, but the book is described as “a meditation on youthful love, married love, and the lives parents led before their children were born.” There will be treats. On Wednesday, Feb. 18, there will be bingo for the kids, prizes and everything. For adults interested in prizes, the Book Blizzard Winter Reading Challenge continues through the month – pick up a reading log and read at least 4 books. Teens and older kids are also eligible. Presidents Day is February 16, so the library will be closed.