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.”