What Will November bring?

Will we get an Indian Summer in November, or will we have full-blown winter? I couldn’t tell you, but I do know there are some things to be thankful for at the Fosston Community Library Arts Center.

First and foremost, there is a new library associate. Mavis Haugom has been hired to fill the position left vacant when Caese moved into the branch manager slot. Originally from Zap, North Dakota, Mavis has lived south of McIntosh for the last 26 years with her husband Gene. She says she has always wanted to work in a library, and after a career in nursing and then one in accounting, she finally has her dream job. Most recently she worked in the finance department at Essentia Health, retiring about a year and a half ago. Her hobbies including reading, playing the piano and knitting.

On Tuesday, Nov. 12, everyone is invited to the library open house from noon to 8 p.m. There will be treats, coffee, hot apple cider and door prizes. Whether you are a regular customer or have never set foot in the library before, you are welcome.

Also on Nov. 12, the library book club will meet at 7 p.m. This month’s book is One Plus One by Jojo Moyes. I haven’t read it yet, but apparently it involves a single mother, a chaotic family, a quirky stranger and a comic road trip. Other readers have told me they liked it.

Writers’ group will meet Tuesday, Nov. 26, at 7:30 p.m. New members are always welcome.

The November exhibit in the Sorenson Gallery will be “Trades of Hope” featuring handcrafted jewelry, scarves, bags and home décor from artisans worldwide. A reception will be held on November 22 from 5-7 p.m.. Items will be available for purchase at that time with proceeds going to the Theater Elevator Fund. Abby Pearson is coordinating the exhibit.

The Daisy Hagen Auction for the Arts is coming up on December 1. Watch your local paper for more information.

If you have used markers that should be discarded, bring them to the library as there will be a drop-off box to collect them and send them to the Crayola ColorCycle program. They do not have to be Crayola markers. Highlighters and dry erase markers are also accepted.

On last reminder – the library will be closed on Monday, November 11, for Veterans Day, and on Thursday, November 28, for Thanksgiving Day.

October is here!

October has traditionally been the month for the big used book sale at the Fosston Library, and it's here again, even though there are used books available for purchase throughout the year. However, there will be special bargain prices for items the final week of the month. (Not that they aren’t bargains already, as nothing costs more than a dollar.) Stop in and shop.

If you don’t have a library card, which gives you free access to all the bounty of the library, including books, magazines, CDs, and DVDs, sign up anytime before the end of November and receive a free card holder ( and a sticker proclaiming “I Got a Library Card.”) There is no charge for a library card, but you will probably be asked to provide an ID with your local address.

Even without a library card, you can attend some of the free events offered at the library. On Tuesday, October 15, at 1:30 p.m., Minnesota author Leif Enger will talk about his newest book, Virgil Wander, the story of the residents of a small town struggling to revive their community. Enger was raised in Osakis and worked for Minnesota Public Radio for nearly 20 years. Virgil Wander is his third book.

Another author, Wendell Affield, will be at the library on Tuesday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m. Affield, who discovered who his biological father was at the age of 72, will share the story of how he unearthed previously undiscovered family secrets. The local writers’ group will be welcoming him to their meeting, but anyone is welcome to attend. Admission is free thanks to funding from the Minnesota Legacy Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

The Fosston Library Book Club meets on Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 7 p.m. This month’s book is The Rules of Magic, by Alice Hoffman. The novel, set in New York City at the beginning of the 1960s, tells the story of the Owens family, victims of a love curse since 1620. Coffee and goodies will be available.

In news from the Fosston Community Library Arts Association, tryouts for its production of Arsenic and Old Lace were held recently. There are still some male roles that need to be filled. Contact Abby Pearson (218-280-0595) if you are interested.

Sarah Steinbrenner is welcomed back to the FCLAA Board of directors. She served on the board several years ago. She and Carrie Carlin are co-chairs for the upcoming Daisy Hagen Auction for the Arts to be held in November.

The FLCAA wishes to express a thank you to all who attended the Farm to Table event. It was a successful evening.

One last note: The library will be closed Monday, Oct. 14, as library staff will be attending a workshop.

Wood Creations in the Gallery

Sheldon Mattson has a variety of pieces on display.

Harlan Haroldson also works with a variety of styles.

It's August!

It’s August, so hopefully there will soon be ripe tomatoes and sweet corn available – one compensation for summer coming to an end. At the Fosston Community Library Arts Center, the Summer Library Experience is coming to an end, too. If your kids are participating, remind them to get those reading logs turned in by August 10.  The major prize is a Kindle, but there are other prizes as well – books, bears, and even a vintage Twins Bobblehead.

The new display going up in the gallery will feature carved wood art by Sheldon Matson and Harlon Haroldson. They have some beautiful, unique pieces.
As August is a relatively quiet month at the library arts center, you are invited to check out a few good books spend some time relaxing on your porch reading, now before the weather forces everyone indoors and the fall rat race starts up again.
Looking ahead to September, there is an extra special event scheduled for Saturday, September 14. The second annual Farm to Table Fundraiser Dinner will begin with a social hour at 5 p.m. followed by dinner at 6.
Served under the lights at the East Polk Heritage Center shelter and sponsored by the FCLAA, the four-course meal will feature locally-grown seasonal ingredients and wines from Grape Mill Vineyards & Winery, East Grand Forks.
Minnesota author Amy Thielen from Park Rapids, whose recipes will be used for the meal, will be there to give a presentation and to sign books. She is the author of the cookbook The New Midwestern Table and the memoir Give a Girl a Knife.
Thielen currently lives in rural Park Rapids, her home town, with her husband Aaron Spangler, their son, his dog, a bunch of chickens and a huge vegetable garden. She spent some years in New York City working for several celebrated chefs, but moved back to Minnesota in 2008. She hosted Heartland Table on the Food Network and writes about food for several newspapers and magazines.
Proceeds for this event will benefit the FCLAA Theater Accessibility Project. Reservations are required. For more information, contact Bonnie Stewart (435-6119).

Paintings by Pam

Paintings by Pam Kerssen are currently on display in the Sorenson Gallery.

It's July!

It’s July, and I can tell you at least two things about that month: First, once we hit the Fourth of July summer will be over before we know it, and second, the Fosston Library will be closed on the Fourth.

However, there are several happenings at the Fosston Community Library Art Center during the month. The Summer Library Experience continues until August 10, so pick up a reading log and fill it out for a chance at some great prizes for all ages.

While there will be no special program on July 3, the week of July 8-13 will feature a space-themed scavenger hunt. Come in during library hours, find all the pictures and pick out a prize.

On Wednesday, July 17, at 2 p.m., children are invited to explore the phases of the moon with Oreo cookies, and I would be willing to bet they will get to eat a few too.

On Wednesday, July 24, also at 2 p.m., there will be a special performance by the Everett Smithson Band, playing music familiar to the Mississippi River region, including rockabilly, blues and more. Plus, a short harmonica lesson with free harmonicas for children will be offered after the show. This event, which will probably appeal to adults as well as children, is offered free of charge thanks to funding from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

During the week of July 29-August 3, children are invited to visit the library any time to learn about the planets and to create their own planet using a paper lantern and watercolor paints.

The library has a new employee, Caese Haroldson, who will be working part-time as a library assistant. Caese, who grew up in Fosston and graduated from Fosston High School, lived in the Twin Cities for 20 years and moved back to her hometown a couple of years ago. She is the daughter of Sandy and Harlan Haroldson. She worked as a nanny for 16 years and now works as a paraprofessional at the Fosston school. In addition to that, she has a photography business. She is a busy lady, and says that so far, she loves working at the library.

The new gallery exhibit for July will feature Fosston artist Pam Kerssen. Her colorful acrylics include both landscape and still life paintings and maybe a few others as well. Watch for information about an artist reception for Pam.

Deedee Narum's mosaics in gallery

Mosaics made with stained glass pieces - colorful and beautiful