Let's build a robot

 

Summer reading program participants showed off their creativity when asked to build a robot from a variety of materials.

August is upon us

“I’m so glad that it’s August” is not a statement you will hear very often, at least not coming out of my mouth. The fact that summer is two-thirds over always makes me a little melancholy. Looking on the bright side, we still have a whole month of summer left and some wonderful things going on at the Fosston Community Library Arts Center.

Come and see the paintings of Arna Rennan currently on display at the Sorenson Gallery. Arna, who lives in Duluth, has been painting plein aire for 25 years. (I actually had to look that up to make sure I was interpreting the term correctly, but it means painting pictures outdoors.) She received training at the National Academy of Art in Oslo, Norway, and spent four months in Paris and southern France seeking out Cezanne and Van Gogh’s favorite places to paint. The winner of several plein aire competitions, she has held painting workshops at the Grand Marais Art colony.

Build a Better World, the summer reading program for children and teens, continues through the end of the month. It’s not too late to sign up and do enough reading to qualify for the big prize drawings. There are two Wednesday afternoon programs scheduled for August. On Wednesday, August 2, working in teams, kids will have a chance to build a robot from recyclable materials. The finished products will be on display at the library so stop by and see them.

On Wednesday, August 9, at 9 p.m. there will be a pool party at the Fosston Civic Center. Meet at the pool with swim suit and towel for 45 minutes of fun with the library staff. There will be snacks and door prizes. Signed permission slips are required and preschoolers must be accompanied by an adult. Nonswimmers are required to wear a life jacket. Civic center lifeguards are on duty for this event.

On Tuesday, August 29, at 6:30, Rhonda Carlin will be giving a presentation on Flower Art. Here’s your chance to learn about making beautiful decorations for your home. She did the first installment of this earlier in the summer (or spring), but even if you missed that session, you are welcome at this one.

Just a couple of reminders:

There will be no story time on August 25, and the library will be closed on Monday, Sept. 4, in observance of Labor Day.

July Happenings

It’s July, a great month, except for the fact that once the Fourth is over, it seems as if school will be starting within the next week or so. While summer is still here, enjoy it by taking advantage of the events going on at the Fosston Community Library Arts Center.

First, there is a unique display in the Sorenson Gallery. Julie Johnson, sister-in-law to FCLAA board member Barb Johnson, is co-founder of a nonprofit that sells products made by women from around the world who are trying to support their families. They make a variety of fashion accessories – jewelry, bags, etc., and some of these will be on display at during the month. Items will be available for purchase. It’s a great cause so be sure to stop by and take a look. The company is called Elevat (with a long a). You can check out their Web site at www.elevatingtheglobe.com/

The summer reading program, “Build a Better World,”  continues through the month of August so if your child hasn’t yet signed up there is still time. Everyone who completes a reading log will receive a prize and be eligible for the prize drawing at the end of the summer. Remember that there is a summer reading program for adults too – through the end of July. Read four books and you may win a prize too.

Special programs continue  on Wednesday afternoons at 2 p.m. These programs are free and open to everyone and include a door prize drawing for a DQ Treat compliments of the Fosston Dairy Queen.

 On July 12, staff from the Agassiz Environmental Learning Center, which is located in the Sand Hills near Fertile, will do a presentation entitled “Save Our Species”, telling about endangered species in Minnesota and elsewhere. Learn what would happen if they no longer existed and what you can do to help. On July 19, there will be a special visit from a Minnesota State Trooper, who will talk about being safe on the road and in our community. On July 26, a beekeeper will share what he does throughout the year, as well as what the bees do. On August 2, everyone will be given a box of recyclable materials and invited to create their own robot. The robots will be displayed in the library for everyone to admire.

One bit of bad news – the teen talent show, which I announced in last month’s column, has been cancelled.

Paintings by Ivy Bailie in the Sorenson Gallery

Paintings currently on display in the gallery

Because it's June...

It’s June and what could be better? With green leaves, flowers, warm temperatures and all sorts of enjoyable events at the Fosston Community Library Arts Center, this month is a winner.

Summer means the summer reading program, which is already underway. It’s not too late to sign up for it. It’s for all ages.  Pick up a reading log, read or listen to at least four books, and you will have a chance at some very nice prizes. The theme this year is “Build a Better World.”

As part of the summer reading program, there are special programs every Wednesday at 2 p.m. There will be a door prize drawing each week for a Dairy Queen treat. On June 7, local 4-H members and adult leader Marlys Balstad will be on hand for games and projects. On June 14, there will be a kids’ singalong with Larry including songs from around the world that are filled with actions and excitement. Those in attendance on June 21 will have a chance to create their own birdhouse using a plastic bottle. Make a little house and recycle at the same time. On June 28, a park naturalist from Itasca State Park will tell about the animal builders and lead a building activity. The Kindness Rock project is coming up on July 5. Decorate a rock with a positive uplifting message and place it in a random spot in the community or give to someone in need of encouragement.

Yoga for kids led by JoAnn Papke will be held Monday, June 19, at 3 p.m. and Friday, June 23, at 1 p.m. Kids of all ages are invited to bring a yoga mat (if they have one), a water bottle, and a friend. This activity will be outdoors if the weather permits.

Fosston native Gary Vikan will be at the arts center on Monday, June 26, for a presentation on his book, Sacred and Stolen: Confessions of a Museum Director. A 1964 graduate of Fosston High School, Gary received his PhD from Princeton University. He was director the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore from 1994 to 2013 and now lectures and teaches. I’m not sure on a time for this yet so watch for more information.

The children’s theater production of “Wizard of Oz” will be performed Friday, June 23, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, June 24, at 2 p.m. Director is Christy Johnson.

And while we are the subject of theater, unfortunately there will be no summer theater production this year. However, there will be a teen talent show on Thursday, July 13. It will be directed by Jenny Burnside. Watch for more information.

Also, remember there is preschool storytime each Friday at 10:30 a.m.

 

 

The Fifteenth Festival of Tables

Follow the Yellow Brick Road by Mary Steinbrenner, Gloria Steinbrenner and Dorothy Killian



Build a Better World by April Wedin, LARL Fosston



Childhood Games by Lisa Rosendahl

Live the Language by Paul Peltier

The Call of the Loon by Gerry LaVoi

Faux Elegance by Grace Rue

Apple Blossom by Mary Hanson

Refined Rabbits and Wild Voluptuous Violets by Carol Danielson

Minnesota Rust by Andrea Stordahl

April Showers Bring May Flowers by Amy Mulry and Lu Newell

Heidi by Heidi and Sarah Steinbrenner

Butterflies in Bloom by Tammi Jalowiec

Elegant Entertaining by Ladies of the Lake

It's May, it's May!

As I write this on April 27, we seem to have relapsed into winter, and the landscape is looking mighty white. Hopefully by the time you read this, that should seem like a distant memory. When it’s May, it must be spring, right? At any rate, at the Fosston Library Arts Center, May always brings a veritable bouquet of opportunities.

Music, music, music! There are three recitals scheduled for your listening pleasure.  On Sunday, May 7, Orland Aspen’s vocal students will present their spring recital. The following weekend there will be two piano recitals. Molly Peltier’s students will perform on Saturday, May 13, at a time to be announced, and my students will be performing on Sunday, May 14, at 7 p.m. They will be joined by Jeff Menton’s string students. Everyone is welcome, there is no admission fee, and refreshments will be served by the FCLAA hospitality committee.

 Summer reading program! (There must be something ironic about mentioning snow and summer in the same column, but anyway…) The kick-off for the summer reading program, “Build a Better World,” will be Wednesday, May 31, at 2 p.m. with Professor Marvel’s magic show. Children and teenagers who sign up and receive a reading log have a chance to win some great prizes in addition to the pleasure of reading books. There are programs each Wednesday – on June 7 the 4-H will be featured with games and projects led by Marlys Balstad.

 And if you adults are feeling left out, you don’t need to. The Sizzlin’ Summer Reads adult summer reading program runs June 1 – July 31, so you can have a shot at some prizes all your own.

 Registration for the children’s summer theater production of “Wizard of Oz” will be Wednesday, May 10, from 5-7 p.m. at the Civic Center. Christy Johnson is the director; the cast will be composed of third to sixth graders. Signup for summer arts activities will be at the same time.

Book club meets Tuesday, May 9, at 7 p.m. This month’s book is All Summer Long by Dorothea Benton Frank.

The afterschool chess club will have its end of the year gathering on Tuesday, May 16, There will be a tournament and refreshments. Students ages 10 and up are welcome.

Writers’ group will meet Thursday, May 25, at 7:30 p.m. Alison Opdahl will share her experiences printing a book with Createspace. If you have a laptop, bring it along and she will walk you through the process.

The student art in the Sorenson Gallery will be on display until mid-May. The new exhibit going up will be nature photographs by Mitch Hilliard of Lengby.

The library will be closed on Monday, May 29, in observance of Memorial Day.  There will be no story time on the preceding Friday, May 26.