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.

2026

2026 is here. I don’t know how many of you make New Year’s resolutions in January (and maybe by now you’ve already abandoned the resolutions you made), but a good resolution would be to take advantage of all good things the Aurora Center for the Arts and the Fosston Library has to offer. The current display in the Sorenson Gallery features work by Roseau fiber artist Aliza Novacek-Olson. There are examples of many traditional skills, not just fiber arts (spinning, felting, weaving, crocheting, etc.) but also basketweaving and woodcarving. As a quote from the artist’s Website says: “By considering purpose, colors, materials, and techniques, we can learn about the culture that followed the same steps and appreciate how our ancestors lived, worked, and passed on tradition.” The gallery is open during library hours and is well worth a visit. While you are there, you might want to sign up for the Book Blizzard Winter Reading Challenge. Pick up a reading log, return it for a sticker and a chance to win a prize each time you’ve read four titles. Also coming up this month is the Aurora Center for the Arts annual meeting on Wednesday, January 14, at 6 p.m. All members are welcome to attend, and if you are interested in becoming a member, you can come check it out. The theater renovation is currently underway, even as it is in use as a practice space for the Fosston High School one act play cast who will compete on January 23. The Sponsor a Seat program is going strong, with 50 seats currently sponsored. If you are interested in sponsoring a seat go to auroracenterforthearts.org or e-mail Abby Pearson at hello@auroracenterforthearts.org. The library book club will meet Tuesday, January 20, at 2 p.m. This month’s book is Remarkable Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. I haven’t started it yet, but it appears the narrator is an octopus. It should be interesting. Check with the library for a copy. Bingo for children is scheduled for Wednesday, January 21, at 3:30. Prizes, prizes! The library will be closed on Monday, January 19, in observation of Martin Luther King’s birthday.

December - Winter Has Arrived

Winter has arrived – not surprising given that December is here. There is cold and snow, but you can find warmth and excitement at the Aurora Center for the Arts and the Fosston Library. On Saturday, December 6, with the art of micro mosaics, you can make a beautiful pendant under the guidance of Kathy Sanders. The workshop is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. On the evening of that same day, Dan Rodriguez will be presenting his Christmas concert at 7 p.m. There are still tickets available as of this writing. Go to auroracenterforthearts.org for concert tickets or to register for the micro mosaic workshop. Concert tickets are also available at Nord’s Pharmacy. New things are coming to the theater – new carpeting and new seating, renovations necessary because of water damage last winter (leaky roof). If you would like to help with this, there is a Sponsor-A-Seat program. For $200 you will have a personalized plaque mounted on one of the new chairs. Honor a loved one, celebrate your family name or demonstrate your business or club’s support. Contact Abby Pearson at hello@auroracenterforthearts.org for more information or go to the aurora center website. In a related note, if anyone is interested in the old seats, contact Abby about that as well. Coming up at midmonth at the Sorenson Gallery will be Aliza Novacek-Olson’s fiber art display. She lives on a ranch near Roseau and creates clothing using fiber from some of the animals she raises. The techniques she uses include spinning, weaving, crocheting, wet-felting, needle felting and more. It should be an interesting exhibition. Also, rehearsals have begun for the high school one act play. It will be presented at the end of January. Meanwhile, at the Fosston Library, Food for Fines will be in effect during the month of December. For each non-perishable food item brought into the library, a $2 late fee will be waived from the customer’s account. The donated food items will go to the local food shelf. Book club meets Tuesday, December 16, at 2 p.m. This month’s book is Vanderbilt by Anderson Cooper and Katherine Howe. Participants may also read a Christmas book of their choice, so if you are not interested in the Vanderbilts, come prepared to share something about another book. Bingo for the kids (with prizes) is scheduled for Wednesday, December 17, after school. Christmas week (Dec. 22-27) children are invited to search for Gnorman the Gnome. If they find him, they may pick a prize from the treasure chest. The library will close at noon on December 24 and will be closed Christmas Day, reopening on Dec. 26. It will also be closed on Jan. 1.

In November, Winter Approaches

November is here, winter is approaching, and at the Aurora Center for the Arts and the Fosston Library, there are lots of exciting activities scheduled. The Daisy Haugen Auction for the Arts, Aurora’s signature fundraiser, will be on Sunday, November 30. Held every other year, the auction offers a chance to bid on a grand variety of donated artwork, homemade goodies (maybe some caramels), unique services, and who knows what else. Preview the items from 1-2 p.m. before the auction begins at 2. If you are interested in creating your own piece of art, there are a couple of opportunities for that, too. On Saturday, Nov. 8, Mike McColl will teach participants techniques of marbelizing paper to put on a hard-cover journal. The class will be held at the Old School Artist Retreat Center in Lengby. On Saturday, Dec. 6, Kathy Sanders will be teaching a micro mosaic pendant class. Using tiny pieces of glass and small stones (tesserae), students will design and assemble their own work of art. There are fees for these classes. To register, go to auroracenterforthearts.org. Betsy Saurdiff’s pottery is currently in the Sorenson Gallery. There will be an artist’s reception for her on Thursday, November 20, from 5-7 p.m. Saurdiff, who lives and works in Grygla, has received numerous awards. Her techniques include altering wheel-thrown work, sgraffito, and brushwork. If you want to find out what that means, come to the reception. Tickets are now on sale for the Dan Rodriguez Christmas concert scheduled for Saturday, December 6, at 7 p.m. He has performed in Fosston several times and has quite a few fans here, so you might want to get your tickets sooner rather than later. They are available at Nord’s Pharmacy & Gifts and online at the Aurora Center Website. Meanwhile, at the Fosston Library, book club will meet Tuesday, November 18, at 2 p.m. This month’s book is Mother-Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon. Contact the library for a copy of the book. Bingo for kids is Wednesday, Nov. 19, beginning at 3:15. Prizes, prizes, prizes! The next week, beginning Monday, Nov. 25, kids are invited to search for some sort of hidden treasure in the library. When they find it, they can pick out something from the prize box. And just a reminder: The library will be closed on Tuesday, November 11, in observance of Veterans Day, and on Thursday, November 29, for Thanksgiving Day.

And October

October is here. The temperatures maybe unseasonably warm, but the leaves are turning (and falling) and the light is waning. The Aurora Center for the Arts has just hosted a successful Lit Fest with several Minnesota authors. Coming up this month isa stained glass mosaic class with JoAnn McFarlin on Thursday, Oct. 9. Attendees will learn glass cutting, proper adhesives, grouting and color composition. Ten people are enrolled. . Information for a couple of upcoming classes, one in November on making a marbleized journal and one in December on micro mosaics, can be found at auroracenterforthearts.org. Coming to the Sorenson Gallery in October is a display of pottery by Betsy Saurdiff. She is from Grygla, and her pottery pays homage to her grandmothers and mother. The winner of numerous awards, Saurdiff is influenced by her rural roots, including sewing, berry picking, hunting, fishing and working on the farm. Meanwhile, at the Fosston Library, on Friday, October 24, at 1:30 p.m., author Christopher Lehmanwill discuss his book It Took Courage: Eliaz Winston’s quest for Freedom. The book is the story of a woman who escaped slavery by petitioning a judge in Minnesota. He will talk about his inspirations for writing the book, methods of research and the people and places involved. It should be an interesting presentation. Book club meets Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 2 p.m. This month’s book is Maria by Michelle Moran. A novel based on Maria Von Trapp, heroine of “The Sound of Music,” the book is an attempt to tell the real story behind the movie. I’m looking forward to reading it. If you are interested, contact the library to obtain a copy of the book. Bingo for the kiddos is scheduled for Wednesday, October 15, at 3:15 p.m. Always a fun time. Everyone likes to win a prize. One last reminder: The library will be closed on Monday, October 13, for a staff workshop. (That’s Columbus Day and/or Indigenous Peoples’ Day.)