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.