January 2021!

2021 – a new year! Whether it is better than 2020 remains to be seen; we can only hope so. Last January no one would have predicted how the past year would unfold. Despite many challenges, the Fosston Community Library Arts Association, together with the Lake Agassiz Regional Library, continues its mission of investing in our community by fostering an environment for creative expression by bringing culture, lifelong learning and a spirit of inspiration to our community. On Wednesday, January 13, the FCLAA will hold its annual meeting at 6:30 p.m. If you are a member of the FCLAA or if you are interested in becoming one, you are welcome at attend. The FCLAA board is responsible for overseeing the various areas of programing at the arts center, in the areas of music, lectures, gallery and theater. In addition, there is a property committee. These five committees are always interested in having new members, so if you would like to be involved in the promoting the arts in our local area, you are welcome to join. This year’s meeting will be held virtually, so if you would like to attend, please e-mail hello@fclaa.org and you will be sent a link to the meeting. In library news, the winter Book Blizzard will run from January 1 – February 28. Pick up a reading log at the library or try the virtual Books Like Us Challenge at larl.org/bookblizzard . For every four books you read (or listen to) you will have a chance to win a fabulous prize. If you are going to be reading anyway, you might as well sign up. The gallery exhibit “Art of the Dress” is still on hold because of COVID-19 guidelines. Hopefully, the gallery may reopen sometime this month. Remember, if you do not feel comfortable coming into the library in person, library staff is willing to do home deliveries within Fosston city limits. Call the library at 435-1320 with your requests or simply ask the librarian to pick something out for you. Also, there are story time kits available for checkout with several different themes with both books and activities. If your little ones are missing the library story time, this is the do-it-yourself version. The FCLAA wants to thank everyone who attended the online Christmas production and gives a special thank you to director Abby Pearson, her cast and crew. Everyone has had to learn to be adaptable this past year. The library will be closed on Monday, January 18, in observance of Martin Luther King Day.

December is here!

And once again we have December, proving anew that time goes fast even when we are not having fun. I know this pandemic is getting tiresome with all the restrictions and changes to our lives, but time marches on, and we will get through this. Through the magic of technology, the Fosston Community Library Arts Association has some upcoming events to help you take your mind off your troubles. The theater production of “Every Christmas Story Ever Told and Then Some” has been rescheduled for Friday and Saturday, Dec. 18-19, and will be a livestream performance. Here is a little synopsis: “Instead of performing Charles Dicken’s beloved holiday classic for the umpteenth time, three actors decide to perform every Christmas story ever told – plus Christmas traditions from around the world, seasonal icons from ancient times to topical pop-culture, and every carol ever sung.” It should be great fun. Watch for details on the FCLAA website and Facebook page on how to watch. The Lake Agassiz Regional Library system, with funding from the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund, is sponsoring a virtual presentation by author Lin Enger on Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m. Enger will discuss his new book American Gospel, which explores the United States’s obsession with apocalypse and the ways which religious extremists use fear and lies to manipulate. He is a Minnesota author and currently teaches English at Minnesota State University Moorhead. He is the brother of novelist Leif Enger. The presentation can be accessed by going to the LARL Facebook page. The other good news is that the library continues to be open its regular hours. Curbside pickup is also available if you do not feel comfortable going inside. While there is currently no preschool storytime, Storytime to Go kits are available for checkout. Each kit contains five books plus some related activities or crafts. For more information feel free to call the library at 435-1320. The Sorenson Gallery is currently closed. The Art of the Dress exhibit has been rescheduled for January. And, of course, the library will be closed on December 24 and 25 for Christmas. It will also close at 5 on New Year’s Eve and will be closed New Year’s Day.

November - Let Us Be Thanksful

November – let us be thankful for what we have in these uncertain times, and especially that the Fosston Community Library Arts Association is continuing to function, and the Fosston Library continues to be open for its normal schedule. If you have been in the library, you may not even have noticed that there is a new employee. Jill Rose is not new to the Fosston Library, having worked as a sub here (also in Gonvick and Bagley) for seven years. Now, however, she will be here on a regular basis. After growing up in Illinois and living in Missouri, Ohio, Indiana and Wisconsin, Jill and her husband David, who has Rosewood Construction, moved to Minnesota in 2003, hoping to find a place where winter was really winter and not mud season. Apparently, they found what they wanted, as they have lived on their place north of Gonvick since 2006. A graduate of Central Lincoln Christian University in Lincoln, Illinois, Jill worked at Deer Creek Church in University Park, Illinois, as an administrative assistant before her marriage. She homeschooled her five children, who are now all young adults. She enjoys reading and sewing, and her favorite part of working at the library is helping people find what they are looking for. Beginning November 9, the Art of the Dress will be in the Sorenson Gallery. This unique collection of wedding dresses from the late 1800s and early 1900s is sponsored by the East Polk County Heritage Center. The FCLAA winter theater production has seen a change as to the play. “Every Christmas Story Even Told (and Then Some!” will be presented in December. The cast of three has been selected and rehearsals will begin soon. Watch for more information about dates and tickets. Although the library is unable to hold the large scale used book sale normally held in October, there are still many used books for sale. Look for the table in the lobby as well as the shelves right inside the door. Nothing costs more than a dollar. While you are in the library, be sure to notice the new tables and chairs, donated by Ultima Bank. The 30-inch round tables make social distancing easy, and they are quite attractive. Lake Agassiz Regional Library is sponsoring two Legacy events during November. On Friday, Nov. 13, at 10 a.m., Lalo’s Lunchbox will provide comedy and sing-alongs for children aged three and up. Then on Thursday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m., Professor Emeritus Dr. Mark Chekola from MSUM will share about the Red River Rainbow Seniors oral history project entitled “Breaking Barriers: Harvesting LGBTQ Stories from the Northern Plains. Just a reminder: The library will be closed for Veterans Day on Wednesday, Nov. 11, and for Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26. It will close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 25, but will be open regular hours on Friday, Nov. 27.

October's bright blue weather?

October is here. I am hoping for a month of bright blue weather and no snow yet, although I seem to remember the last couple of years, winter seemed to start in October. I cannot really predict the weather, but I can tell you about some of the happenings at the Fosston Community Library Arts Center. A theater production is planned for December, with tryouts to be held on Thursday, October 8, at 7 p.m. “Dixie Swim Club” has a small cast of five, all female roles. If you are interested in auditioning, come with a short monologue prepared. You may contact Abby Pearson at 218-280-0595 for more information. Laura Schmeling’s paintings will be in the Sorenson Gallery until the end of the month. There will be a giveaway of one of her prints. Stop by and vote for your favorite, entering your choice in the ballot box. You may be a winner, but not unless you enter. Good news at the library – hours of opening are finally back to normal. To refresh your memory, that means Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Tuesday, 12 noon – 8 p.m.; Thursday, 12 noon – 6 p.m. and Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. If you would like some materials from the library, but are not comfortable coming in to get them, home delivery is available within Fosston city limits. You may request specific books or trust the library staff to choose something for you. Call the library (435-1320) for more information or to make a request. For some years now, the library system has been privileged to offer several author visits, concerts, and other special programs as part of the Legacy series. This fall is no exception, the difference being that this year all the events are available on-line. The first of these is the opportunity to create loop earrings with Sister Beads. Beginning Oct. 13, pick up the necessary supplies from your library, then access the instructional video at larl.org. The instructor on the video is Tawny Trottier Cale, an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe as well as a descendent of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa and the Spirit Lake Nation. On Monday, Oct. 19, at 7 p.m. journalist Sierra Crane Murdoch will be available to discuss her book, Yellow Bird: Oil, Murder, and a Search for Justice. It is the story of a murder on an Indian reservation and a portrait of the woman who becomes obsessed with solving it. On Thursday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m. there is another presentation about a murder: Secrets of the Congdon Mansion by author Joe Kimball, who covered the story as a reporter for the Star Tribune. These Facebook Live events may be found at facebook.com/larlmn/live/ One last bit of information: The library will be closed on Monday, Oct. 12, for a staff workshop (virtual, of course).

Laura Stewart Schmeling

September 2020

September 2020 – it has been a year to remember so far, so who knows what is in store as we move into autumn. I do know, however, that the Fosston Community Library Arts Association has a couple of good things to look forward to. Beginning September 1, the Sorenson Gallery will be reopening. The guest artist for the month is Laura Stewart Schmeling of Bemidji. Originally from New Haven, Indiana, Laura has lived in Bemidji since 2009. She has taught classes in the area as well as exhibiting her works in group and solo art shows. Her most recent endeavors include works painted on homemade paper derived from natural materials, including banana, pumpkin, pineapple, and asparagus pulp, which sounds interesting to say the least. You are welcome to enjoy the gallery during regular library hours. Please comply with the posted safety guidelines. On Friday, Sept. 18, the FLCAA will sponsor an outdoor concert by singer/songwriter Michael Rendahl, a Fosston native now living in Bemidji. The concert will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the East Polk County Heritage Center grounds in Fosston. There will be limited seating available with spaces for chairs marked. Bring lawn chairs or blankets – family members can be seated together. There may be a food truck set up prior to the concert so watch for more information on that. There is a charge for this concert, and tickets must be purchased ahead of time. They are available at Nord’s Pharmacy and Gift or online at www.fclaa.org. September usually brings the start of music lessons at the art center, and that will again be happening on somewhat of a limited basis. Jeff Menton will again be available to teach violin, viola, cello, mandolin, upright bass, and guitar. If you are interested, give him a call at 218-255-0087. There will be no piano lessons during September. I am still undecided as to what I should do, but may start lessons in October. Molly Peltier will be having a baby quite soon but indicated to me she might be ready to do some piano lessons in November, so watch for more information. At the library, the summer reading program is over, and the prizes have been awarded. Also, eight Monarch butterflies have hatched and been released. Now every time I see a Monarch, I wonder if it might have come from the library. Just a reminder – the library will be closed on Monday, September 7, for the Labor Day holiday.

August - heading down the homestretch to fall!

August – summer is two-thirds over, which means we are heading down the home stretch to fall. Yikes! While things are opening up somewhat, the coronavirus pandemic is far from over. However, if you need some diversion to take your mind off it, the Fosston Community Library Association has just the thing for you. On Thursday, August 20, there will be an online concert by Jeff Menten, who teaches violin and guitar lessons at the art center, and his collaborator Paul Nye. Their mix of funky folk, punky polka, cool classical, caffeinated Celtic, grassy blues, and gypsy jazz will be performed online through a blend of social media platforms including Zoom, Facebook video and You Tube. The concert will also be available for viewing later if you have a conflict. Keep your eye out for details and the link to the concert. The Fosston Library’s open hours have continued to increase and are now nearly back to normal. The schedule is currently as follows: Monday – 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Tuesday – 12 noon – 7 p.m.; Wednesday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Thursday – 12 noon – 6 p.m. and Friday – 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Curbside pick-up of library materials is still available if you wish. Remember, you are requested to wear a mask when in the library (most everywhere else too, I guess), and asked to use the provided hand sanitizer before you enter. Computers are available for public use. You may wish to call to reserve one. The library number is 435-1320. When you do come into the library, look at the Monarch butterfly caterpillar to see how that transformation is progressing. It was just a hungry caterpillar last time I looked. The summer reading program continues through August 15, so kids still have a chance to win some great prizes. Contact the library for more information. One other bit of information – MN Link interlibrary loan is once again available. This means you can request materials from any library in the state. Contact the library for more information or look at the LARL Website at larl.org. There is lots of other good information about what the library has to offer on the Website.