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.