Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Correction
I made a mistake in the last posting. William Kent Krueger will be at the Fosston Library on Tuesday, March 29, not Wednesday, which is not March 29 anyway. I was happy to realize that he's is not appearing here on a Wednesday evening in Lent, when many people will be attending Lenten services.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
March at the Arts Center
Just the other day one of my Facebook friends, who lives in Tennessee, mentioned that the dandelions were out. Looking out my window at the thick layer of white stuff in my backyard, I don’t think they’ll be blooming here any time soon. However, it is March, month of the vernal equinox. The days are getting longer, and of course, there continues to be plenty of activity at the Fosston Community Library Arts Center.
William Kent Krueger, award-winning author of Vermilion Drift, this year’s Community Read selection, will be at the library on Wednesday, March 29, at 7 p.m. He will read an excerpt from his book, take questions and have books available for purchase. A resident of St. Paul, Krueger writes a mystery series set in Minnesota’s north woods. Vermilion Drift is the tenth book in the Cork O’Connor series.
If you heard last year’s Community Read author, Susan May Warren, you will be glad to hear that she will be back in Fosston to lead a writers’ conference on April 1-2. If you are an aspiring writer, you’ll want to attend this event. Warren’s agent, Sandra Bishop, will also be presenting. Conference space is limited to 30 attendees. Contact Bonnie Stewart at 435-6119 for more information.
On Tuesday, March 8, jazz musician George Maurer will present a 7 p.m. concert at the arts center. Maurer is a composer and educator, as well as a musician. His Web site states that he has “arranged music for the Chiffons, played for members of the Bill Clinton White House and written original music for the Saint Paul City Ballet.” This concert is free and is funded with money from the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage fund, created with the Legacy Amendment.
Another Legacy-funded event, coming up on Tuesday, April 5, is motivational speaker Renee Rongen, who will be at the Fosston Library at 7 p.m. Rongen, who lives in Fertile, travels all over the country delighting audiences with her humor while challenging them to make a difference. Her presentation here will be “Life is your Legacy - Live It!” I heard her at last fall’s LARL All-staff workshop - she was great!
Michelle Curfman’s photography is currently on display in the Sorenson Gallery. Most of the pictures have been taken in the local area. The upper gallery currently features photography by Shannon Balstad, whom Curfman has mentored. You’ll want to see all these pictures next time you’re in the library.
Other March events include the third grade musical on Monday, March 14, and the Teen Variety Show on Tuesday, March 22, at 7 p.m. Sorry, I don’t seem to have a time for the third grade musical, but if you have a third grader in your family, you’ll know.
William Kent Krueger, award-winning author of Vermilion Drift, this year’s Community Read selection, will be at the library on Wednesday, March 29, at 7 p.m. He will read an excerpt from his book, take questions and have books available for purchase. A resident of St. Paul, Krueger writes a mystery series set in Minnesota’s north woods. Vermilion Drift is the tenth book in the Cork O’Connor series.
If you heard last year’s Community Read author, Susan May Warren, you will be glad to hear that she will be back in Fosston to lead a writers’ conference on April 1-2. If you are an aspiring writer, you’ll want to attend this event. Warren’s agent, Sandra Bishop, will also be presenting. Conference space is limited to 30 attendees. Contact Bonnie Stewart at 435-6119 for more information.
On Tuesday, March 8, jazz musician George Maurer will present a 7 p.m. concert at the arts center. Maurer is a composer and educator, as well as a musician. His Web site states that he has “arranged music for the Chiffons, played for members of the Bill Clinton White House and written original music for the Saint Paul City Ballet.” This concert is free and is funded with money from the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage fund, created with the Legacy Amendment.
Another Legacy-funded event, coming up on Tuesday, April 5, is motivational speaker Renee Rongen, who will be at the Fosston Library at 7 p.m. Rongen, who lives in Fertile, travels all over the country delighting audiences with her humor while challenging them to make a difference. Her presentation here will be “Life is your Legacy - Live It!” I heard her at last fall’s LARL All-staff workshop - she was great!
Michelle Curfman’s photography is currently on display in the Sorenson Gallery. Most of the pictures have been taken in the local area. The upper gallery currently features photography by Shannon Balstad, whom Curfman has mentored. You’ll want to see all these pictures next time you’re in the library.
Other March events include the third grade musical on Monday, March 14, and the Teen Variety Show on Tuesday, March 22, at 7 p.m. Sorry, I don’t seem to have a time for the third grade musical, but if you have a third grader in your family, you’ll know.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Presidents Day?
Presidents’ Day?
From the days when I was young,
I remember February:
Washington’s and Lincoln’s birthdays,
Valentine’s Day, we all made merry.
Decorations on the walls -
Hatchets, cherries, silhouettes
Of Abe and George, our presidents,
Those to whom we owe great debts.
Perhaps a row of old log cabins
Might appear on the bulletin board,
Run off on the mimeograph
All our classroom could afford.
Who remembers anymore
Just who had each birthday date?
On February two and twenty,
Whom do we commemorate?
And on the twelfth of that same month,
Whose natal day was that?
I’ll give you just a little clue:
He wore a stovepipe hat.
From the days when I was young,
I remember February:
Washington’s and Lincoln’s birthdays,
Valentine’s Day, we all made merry.
Decorations on the walls -
Hatchets, cherries, silhouettes
Of Abe and George, our presidents,
Those to whom we owe great debts.
Perhaps a row of old log cabins
Might appear on the bulletin board,
Run off on the mimeograph
All our classroom could afford.
Who remembers anymore
Just who had each birthday date?
On February two and twenty,
Whom do we commemorate?
And on the twelfth of that same month,
Whose natal day was that?
I’ll give you just a little clue:
He wore a stovepipe hat.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
New Display in the Gallery
Michelle Curfman’s photography is now on display in the Sorenson Gallery. She has beautiful pictures, most of them taken in the local area - Fosston’s Thompson Field, Sand Hill Lake, Cross Lake, and Lengby. Some have been digitally enhanced with mats and words added; others are unaltered. Several of them are available for purchase, so come in and take a look at them.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
February at the Fosston Library Arts Center
After a cold and snowy January, I suspect that most of us are quite happy to turn the calendar to February. Not only does February bring Groundhog Day, a reminder that winter may end in six weeks, but there are also some exciting events scheduled at the Fosston Community Library Arts Center.
Lonnie Dupre, polar explorer and Arctic adventurer, is scheduled to speak on Wednesday, Feb. 16, at 7 p.m. Dupre, who is from Grand Marais, has traveled more than 14,000 miles in the Arctic by dog sled, on skis, on foot and by kayak. The latest report had him coming down from an attempt to scale Mt. McKinley, so hopefully he gets back from there and will be in Fosston to tell us all about it.
On Thursday, Feb. 24, also at 7 p.m., Jim Haney, his wife Bonnie, and Jason Thorstad will present a concert of Irish music. The Haneys are members of Poitin, which calls itself “the band from County Fargo.” Here’s an opportunity to learn a little about Irish history and culture and listen to some enjoyable music. Both these events are supported with money from the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage fund.
The FCLAA had its annual meeting on January 12 and two new members were elected, Bob Saeter and Wonell Miller. They are replacing Carol Hagen and myself.
While neither Bob nor Wonell have served on the FCLAA board before, they have both been involved in its theater productions in the past, Bob having been music director for several of the early musicals and Wonell appearing in a number of plays through the years, starting when she was in grade school.
Although Bob graduated from high school in Bagley, he as lived in Fosston since 1968, when he came here to be the high school band director, a position he held for 26 years. Since 1995 he has been owner/manager of the Super 8 Motel. He and his wife Lora Lee have been married since 1970. They have four grown children and seven grandchildren. In serving on the board, he hopes to see the music program continue and to bring in more performers.
Wonell grew up in Fosston, but lived elsewhere for a number of years, starting when she attended college at Moorhead State (now MSUM). After some time in Arizona, Fargo, Oakes and Wahpeton, North Dakota, she, along with her husband Ray Miller and their four sons, moved back to Fosson in 2003. She teaches first grade at Magelsson Elementary in Fosston and in her spare time, if she can find any, enjoys writing, sewing, painting and drawing. She said she is honored to be asked to serve on the board and is looking forward to doing that.
Other February events
Facebook workshop - Monday, Feb. 7 , 11 a.m.
Un-Valentine teen party - Monday, Feb. 14 at 4
Family Fun Time - Wednesdays at 4 p.m
Valentine Crafts and cookies - February 9
Bingo - February 16
Toy Story Time - February 23
Lonnie Dupre, polar explorer and Arctic adventurer, is scheduled to speak on Wednesday, Feb. 16, at 7 p.m. Dupre, who is from Grand Marais, has traveled more than 14,000 miles in the Arctic by dog sled, on skis, on foot and by kayak. The latest report had him coming down from an attempt to scale Mt. McKinley, so hopefully he gets back from there and will be in Fosston to tell us all about it.
On Thursday, Feb. 24, also at 7 p.m., Jim Haney, his wife Bonnie, and Jason Thorstad will present a concert of Irish music. The Haneys are members of Poitin, which calls itself “the band from County Fargo.” Here’s an opportunity to learn a little about Irish history and culture and listen to some enjoyable music. Both these events are supported with money from the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage fund.
The FCLAA had its annual meeting on January 12 and two new members were elected, Bob Saeter and Wonell Miller. They are replacing Carol Hagen and myself.
While neither Bob nor Wonell have served on the FCLAA board before, they have both been involved in its theater productions in the past, Bob having been music director for several of the early musicals and Wonell appearing in a number of plays through the years, starting when she was in grade school.
Although Bob graduated from high school in Bagley, he as lived in Fosston since 1968, when he came here to be the high school band director, a position he held for 26 years. Since 1995 he has been owner/manager of the Super 8 Motel. He and his wife Lora Lee have been married since 1970. They have four grown children and seven grandchildren. In serving on the board, he hopes to see the music program continue and to bring in more performers.
Wonell grew up in Fosston, but lived elsewhere for a number of years, starting when she attended college at Moorhead State (now MSUM). After some time in Arizona, Fargo, Oakes and Wahpeton, North Dakota, she, along with her husband Ray Miller and their four sons, moved back to Fosson in 2003. She teaches first grade at Magelsson Elementary in Fosston and in her spare time, if she can find any, enjoys writing, sewing, painting and drawing. She said she is honored to be asked to serve on the board and is looking forward to doing that.
Other February events
Facebook workshop - Monday, Feb. 7 , 11 a.m.
Un-Valentine teen party - Monday, Feb. 14 at 4
Family Fun Time - Wednesdays at 4 p.m
Valentine Crafts and cookies - February 9
Bingo - February 16
Toy Story Time - February 23
Friday, January 21, 2011
December Darkness
The dark days of December are upon us.
The stingy sun appears for ever decreasing times
As the days continue to shorten.
The cold grips the earth,
And life outdoors becomes treacherous.
But the snow blankets the ground,
Sparkling to make a little light brighter.
Even at night, the whiteness is there,
Reflecting streetlights, moon or stars,
Keeping darkness from overtaking us completely.
Can we too be reflections of the Son?
Let your light so shine among men.
The stingy sun appears for ever decreasing times
As the days continue to shorten.
The cold grips the earth,
And life outdoors becomes treacherous.
But the snow blankets the ground,
Sparkling to make a little light brighter.
Even at night, the whiteness is there,
Reflecting streetlights, moon or stars,
Keeping darkness from overtaking us completely.
Can we too be reflections of the Son?
Let your light so shine among men.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
January at the Fosston Library Arts Center
Happy 2011! May the coming year be a good one for all of you. The Fosston Library is starting out the new year with a new look. The carpeting has been replaced and there are some changes in layout as well. As I write, there are still some details that need to be finished up, but they should be completed this month.
There’s nothing better in January than curling up by the fire with a book, and if you participate in the Hot Reads for Cold Nights adult reading program at the library, you might even win a prize for doing just that. Sign up now - the program runs through February 28. For every four books read, you have a chance at the prize drawing. Audio books also count.
You’ll want to make one of your book choices Vermilion Drift by Minnesota author William Kent Krueger, who lives and writes in St. Paul. It’s the Community Read selection for this year, and the author himself will make an appearance later this winter. Vermilion Drift is the tenth book in the Cork O’Connor series, mystery novels set in Minnesota’s north woods. There will be multiple copies available at the library.
On Thursday and Friday, January 13 and 14, author/illustrator Carrie Hartman will be at the elementary school as well as having a presentation at the Fosston Community Library Arts Center on Thursday evening at 7 p.m. Hartman teaches at the Minneapolis College of Art & Design and is also a freelance illustrator of children’s books. Some of her work will be on display at the library in the days prior to her presentation.
The FCLAA annual meeting will be held Wednesday, January 12, at 7 p.m. at the library. All FCLAA members are welcome to attend this meeting, as well as anyone who is interested in joining.
The Fosston writers’ group will meet on Thursday, January 27, at 7:30 p.m. If you’re interested, call Alison Melgren at 218-289-4969 for more information or simply show up at the meeting. The writers’ group does have a Facebook page so you can check that for postings also.
Just a reminder: the library will be closed in Monday, January 17, in observance of Martin Luther King’s birthday.
There’s nothing better in January than curling up by the fire with a book, and if you participate in the Hot Reads for Cold Nights adult reading program at the library, you might even win a prize for doing just that. Sign up now - the program runs through February 28. For every four books read, you have a chance at the prize drawing. Audio books also count.
You’ll want to make one of your book choices Vermilion Drift by Minnesota author William Kent Krueger, who lives and writes in St. Paul. It’s the Community Read selection for this year, and the author himself will make an appearance later this winter. Vermilion Drift is the tenth book in the Cork O’Connor series, mystery novels set in Minnesota’s north woods. There will be multiple copies available at the library.
On Thursday and Friday, January 13 and 14, author/illustrator Carrie Hartman will be at the elementary school as well as having a presentation at the Fosston Community Library Arts Center on Thursday evening at 7 p.m. Hartman teaches at the Minneapolis College of Art & Design and is also a freelance illustrator of children’s books. Some of her work will be on display at the library in the days prior to her presentation.
The FCLAA annual meeting will be held Wednesday, January 12, at 7 p.m. at the library. All FCLAA members are welcome to attend this meeting, as well as anyone who is interested in joining.
The Fosston writers’ group will meet on Thursday, January 27, at 7:30 p.m. If you’re interested, call Alison Melgren at 218-289-4969 for more information or simply show up at the meeting. The writers’ group does have a Facebook page so you can check that for postings also.
Just a reminder: the library will be closed in Monday, January 17, in observance of Martin Luther King’s birthday.
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