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.

A Journey in Fiber Arts

January is here

January is here, bringing a new year, cold and snow, and the annual meeting for the Aurora Center for the Arts, which is scheduled for Wednesday, January 8, at 7 p.m. The board will be restructuring for the coming year, bidding farewell to longtime members, Bonnie Stewart and Joann Papke, while welcoming two new board members, Karrie Carlin and Margie Illies. The public is invited, so if you’d like to have a behind-the-scenes look at what goes on, here’s your chance. The current exhibit in the Sorenson Gallery is entitled “A Journey in Fiber Arts.” It features the work of five area textile artists, Steph Anderson, Elaine Burslie, Cathy Forgit, Corrina Ricke, and Maggie Stewart. On display are examples of quilting, weaving, hand sewing, crocheting, knitting, sheared sheep rugs, and skinfell. (If you don’t know what that last one is, come and find out.) The exhibit will be on display during the month of January and is available to view during library hours. In the theater, rehearsals are underway for the high school one-act play contest – always lots of activity. Meanwhile, at the Fosston Library, book club will meet Tuesday, January 21, at 2:00 p.m. This month’s book is The Wife Between Us by Greer Henricks and Sarah Pekkanen. I haven’t read it yet, but it’s described as “a jaw-dropping psychological thriller” with clever plot twists. Come for the conversation, coffee and treats. Check with the library to obtain a copy of the book. The Book Blizzard Winter Reading Challenge is underway and continues through the month of February. Pick up a reading log at the library – for every four books you read, bring it back for a sticker and a chance to win a prize. (As if reading a book isn’t prize enough.) Rules are a bit different this year, so you may find yourself expanding your horizons as to your selection of reading material. Bingo for the kids will be Wednesday, January 15, after school. They all like a chance to win a prize. And a reminder – the library will be closed Monday, January 20, in observance of the Martin Luther King holiday. If you feel you might be running out of reading material, remember that e-books are available 24-7 through the Libby app.

December is upon us

After a wonderfully mild fall, we now have winter. As December is upon us, I guess that is to be expected. At the Aurora Center for the Arts, there are some great events on the schedule to help you forget the snow and cold. This week, beginning Wednesday, December 4, Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” will be performed every evening through Saturday (7 p.m. curtain time) with a 3:00 p.m. matinee on Sunday, December 8. Fun fact: the talented cast and crew of 26 include three actors who are often in the director’s seat, Abby Pearson, Andrew Hanson and Marilyn Hood. In less than three months, these three will be competing against each other as they direct the one-acts entered in high school competition, but for now they are working together to bring the audience a great evening of entertainment. Check at Nord’s Pharmacy and Gifts for ticket availability or go to auroracenterforthearts.org/events . If you don’t have your tickets for the Dan Rodriguez concert scheduled for Friday, December 20, at 7 p.m., these are available at the same outlets. If you have heard him perform before, you know you will want to attend; if you haven’t, you are in for a treat. Personnel changes are coming to the Aurora board at the end of the year, as two long-time members are stepping down. Bonnie Stewart is currently executive director of the Aurora Center and has served on the board in various capacities for number of years. Joann Papke, currently board secretary, has also put in many years of service. Thank you to both these women for their support of the arts. Meanwhile, at the Fosston Library, book club will meet Tuesday, December 17, at 2 p.m. to discuss the book The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson. Those who attend are invited to bring a few Christmas goodies to share. Coffee will be provided. Sounds like a party to me. If you haven’t been to a book club before, come to this one. Bingo for the kids is Wednesday, December 16, at 3:30. It’s always a popular activity. On Saturday, December 21, kids ages 3-18 are invited to make an ornament to keep or give as a gift. Those under the age of eight will need to be accompanied by a caregiver who is at least 12. Supplies are provided. Paint is involved so dress accordingly. This activity is free, but preregistration is required. Register on-line or by calling the library (218-435-1320). Times are 11:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. Just a reminder – the library will be closed on December 24 and 25 for Christmas; on New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31) it will close at 5 p.m. and be closed on New Year’s Day.

Fun Events coming up

With the cold dark days of November upon it, it’s good to have some fun events in the offing. The Aurora Center for the Arts has a couple of exciting opportunities scheduled. Admittedly, they are not until December, but you will probably want to put them on your calendar and maybe get tickets soon. “White Christmas” is now in rehearsal and will be performed at the art center December 4-8. This should be a great way to kick off the holiday season. Watch for ticket information – tickets should be available soon. On Friday, December 20, Dan Rodriguez will present his holiday concert at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at Nord’s or online at auroracenterforthearts.org. Past concerts by Rodriguez have sold out, so don’t procrastinate. Photographs by Lynette Ross will be featured at the Sorenson Gallery through mid-December. Nature, wildlife and snowmobile racing – it should be an enjoyable display. Meanwhile, at the Fosston Library, book club will meet Tuesday, November 19, at 2 p.m. This month’s book is Neither Wolf nor Dog by Kent Nerburn. I haven’t had a chance to read it yet, but it is highly recommended by our book club leader. A former Minnesota Book Award winner, this memoir draws the reader into the world of an Indian elder know only as Dan. Readers will be introduced to characters such as Jumbo, a 400-lb. mechanic, and Annie, an 80-year-old Lakota woman living in a log cabin. Plan to attend for stimulating discussion plus coffee and goodies. Bingo for the kiddos will be Wednesday, November 20, at 3:30. This is always a popular event, because, as you know, there are prizes. Remember, the library will be closed on Veterans Day, November 11, and on Thanksgiving Day, which is November 28 this year. If you need a book, (Remember those cold, dark days) when the library is not open, e-books are available 24-7 with the Libby app. If you don’t have it, contact your local library for help.

What Does October bring?

October? What does it bring? Bright blue skies, colorful leaves, pumpkins, Halloween? All those, and, at the Aurora Center for the Arts, it brings the last chance to view the current exhibit at the Sorenson Gallery. “Esemplastic” means the ability to shape diverse elements into a unified whole. This display of collages using images from magazines and books does just that. The artist is Joan Kauppi, an adoptee who learned about her Anishinaabe heritage only when she was in college. The collages came to birth during the pandemic, with easily accessed materials and sleepless nights. The works will be on display through Friday, October 4, so if you would like to see them, head to the library posthaste. Meanwhile, at the Fosston Library, the library book club meets Tuesday, October 15, at 2 p.m. to discuss the book The Seven Sisters, by Lucinda Riley. This is the first in a series, each book dealing with one of the sisters, all adopted as infants by Pa Salt (very rich and somewhat eccentric). When he dies, he leaves clues to enable each sister to find her family of origin. Don’t be intimidated by the size of the book; it moves fast despite its hefty appearance. Come join the group for coffee, treats and discussion. Bingo for the kids is on Wednesday, October 16, at 3:30 p.m. There are prizes so this is always popular. On a more serious note, that same day (October 16) the gallery will be the site of community naloxone training. Sponsored by Polk County from 5:00-6:00 p.m., here is an opportunity to learn how to recognize an opioid overdoes and how to administer Naloxone (NARCAN). Free NARCAN kits are available while supplies last. You will also learn about Steve’s Law – MN Good Samaritan Law and Naloxone legislation. Preschool storytime is each Monday at 10:30, except for Monday, October 14. All Lake Agassiz libraries will be closed that day for staff training. It is also Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which used to be Columbus Day. If you really, really need a book that day, the LARL digital library is available twenty-four-seven.

September happenings

September brings the end of summer and back to school, a time that is welcomed by some and maybe dreaded by others. However you might feel about it, it is here, and at the Aurora Center for the Arts/Fosston Library there are some good things happening. Music lessons at the art center will be resuming this month so now is the time for your child or yourself (no upper age limit) to learn to play an instrument or brush up on those skills you already have. Instruction is available for piano, strings, guitar and drums, as well as digital recording, music production and songwriting. Instructors are Kay Carlsen, piano (aagekay@gvtel.com, 218-435-6710 or 218-289-3968), Jeff Menten, violin, viola, cello, mandolin and guitar (jeffmentenmusic@hotmail.com or 218-255-0087) and Eric Olson, guitar, drums, music production and songwriting (ericolsonator@gmail.com or www.spawnpoint.com) If you are interested in lesson, please contact the instructor directly. After taking the summer off, the Fosston Library book club will resume meeting on Tuesday, September 17, at 2 p.m. to discuss the book, The Red Address Book, by Swedish author Sofia Lundberg. And yes, the book has been translated into English, so you don’t have to read it in Swedish. I haven’t read it yet, but the book features Doris, 96 years old, who looks at the names written in her address book and remembers their importance in her life. It sounds like a good read, and I’m willing to bet there will be coffee and goodies at book club. On Friday, September 20, at 10:30 a.m., Minnesota photographer Doug Ohman will present a program on Minnesota State Parks. Many of you have probably attended one of his programs in the past, but if you haven’t, I highly recommend it. Minnesota has 65 (or 66) state parks, and I think he’s been to all of them. On Wednesday, Sept. 25, at 1 p.m., Minnesota author Jess Lourey will be at the library, Best known for writing the Mira James mysteries, Lourey’s books are a mix of humor and suspense. She currently lives in Minneapolis. I must confess I haven’t read any of her books, but I hope to remedy that before she gets here. And for the kiddos, there will be bingo on Wednesday, September 18, at 3:30.