Festival of Tables

The 11th annual Festival of Tables was held Saturday, April 14. Once again it was a great success.
Table themes included "Does everything really have to match in life? (Kristi Noel and her daughter Teegan), the auction sale (Gerry LaVoi), springtime tea (Ann Offerdahl and Paula Swanson), John Deere meets Tupperware (Terisa Vig), "Dream Big - READ" (Tammi Jalociec), the ties that bind (Gloria Steinbrenner, Mary Steinbrenner and Dorothy Killian), the Polk County Fair: 111 years of family fun (Carrie Welin, Gladys Nephew, Brenda Miller, Sue Halstensgard, Norma Nephew & Darlene Nephew), American Girl! (Lauren Sekely), for the love of gardening (Lillian Sullivan with assistance from Judy Lindseth), tattered elegance (Kristen Hemmingsen), sisters! (Bonnie Stewart and Jo McFarlin), the Christmas stag (Carol Danielson & Mary Welin), flowers and flour (Valerie Brekke), the life of a ragdoll (Lisa Rosendahl), and the 3 R's: red, rust and recycled (Meghan & Pat from The Red Poppy). Piano music was provided by Alyssa Dalen.

April at the Library Arts Center

by Kay Carlsen
April is here, and with it spring, Easter, and National Library Week, which is April 8-14.
This year’s theme is "You belong @ your library," so come to the Fosston Library and check it out, as well as checking out some books, CDs, or DVDs. There are several special programs throughout the week, beginning with an eBook reader basics class on Monday, April 11, at 11 a.m. Learn how to use your new Nook, Kindle, or other e-reader. Remember, the library does have e-books that can be downloaded free.
Tuesday is Library Workers’ Day, and at 6:30 p.m. there will be a read-to-me hour. Children may bring along a parent, grandparent, sibling or stuffed animal to read to; or read a book to one of the librarians. There will be a reward for everyone who reads a story aloud.
The Gowns & Glamour Gala is scheduled for Thursday, April 12, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Girls from grades 7-12 are invited to watch the makeover team demonstrate hairstyles, makeup tips and accessory ideas for prom or other dress-up events. Makeover models will be chosen from the audience.
Also coming up in April is the Festival of Tables, that wonderful annual fund-raiser for the FCLAA. The date is Saturday, April 14, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fosston. There will be 15 beautifully-set tables and a delicious lunch. Tickets are available from Kim Wilson (435-6753), Joan Dufault (435-6986) or the Fosston Library (435-1320).
The current art display in the upper gallery features works by Fosston High School junior Rebecca Sistad. This talented 16-year-old plays volleyball and basketball, enjoys reading and country music, and does some awesome painting and drawing. Be sure to take a look at her work when you’re in the library.
On Friday, April 27, at 2 p.m., Vickie Wendel will be at the library with a presentation entitled "Fact, Folklore and FABRICation." She will reveal the real stories behind the history of quilt design and construction. If you’re a quilter, you won’t want to miss this, and even if you’re not, it should be interesting.
The Books and Bonbons Book Club meets Tuesday, April 10, at 7 p.m. The book is The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks. As for the dessert, you need to come there to find out what that is. It’s always good though.
Last but definitely not least, the second annual Fosston writers’ conference is coming up April 21 and 28. For two consecutive Saturdays, award-winning author Jamie Lee will be here to offer advice on getting started writing and on getting published. Register for either of the two dates or for both. Contact Bonnie Stewart (435-6119) for more information.

March at the Fosston Library Arts Center

Winter is here, but hopefully just in time for spring. After all, it is March. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel. While you’re waiting for the season of green grass and long daylight hours, take advantage of some of wonderful happenings at the Fosston Community Library Arts Center.
Jerry Frasier, comic magician, will present a program at the Fosston Library on Tuesday, March 27, at 4 p.m. Frasier is described as “impressive, unique and unforgettable.” The show includes audience participation, clean comedy, and mystifying magic tricks. Come and bring the kiddies.
Pam Robinson’s “Flotsam & Jetsam” show is currently on display in the gallery. I was a little confused last month when I wrote that “her works were paintings. Wrong, wrong, wrong! She says, “I practice an art form that requires an up-to-date tetanus shot.” Her creations are assembled from rusty metal, broken glass, driftwood, rocks, bones, old jewelry - anything she might find during walks in the woods, strolls along the beach, or rambles at garage sales. Colorful and imaginative, this is an exhibit you won’t want to miss.
March is National Craft Month, and there will be make and take crafts every Wednesday at 4 p.m. This family fun time lasts for an hour, and will feature St. Patrick’s Day crafts on March 14 and springtime crafts on March 21, as well as “Out like a Lamb” (we’re all hoping for that) on March 28.
The Books and BonBons Book Club will meet Tuesday, March 13, at 7 p.m. This month’s book is Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo. We always have a good time as well as enjoying some kind of yummy dessert. Come and join us.
Looking ahead to April (I like the sound of that), the FCLAA is sponsoring the 2nd Annual Writers’ conference on April 21 and 28. The conference will be offered in two levels, the level one, “I Always Wanted to be a Writer” workshop, and the level two, “Self-Edit your Way to Success” workshop. The presenter is Jamie Lee, a published, award-winning author and teacher. Her first novel, Washuja - Bear Dreamer won a Ben Franklin Award for Best New Voice in Fiction. Individuals will be able to register for either one or for both days at a cost of $55 for one or $90 for both. For more information, contact Bonnie Stewart at 435-6119.

At the Sorenson Gallery

Take a trip down memory lane. The current display at the Sorenson Gallery includes posters created by Ric Sorenson for shows that have appeared at the gallery over the past eight years. There is quite a variety of artists and media.

January at the Fosston Library Arts Center

Happy New Year - 2012! I’m not sure how that can be, but I guess I’ll believe the calendar. The burning question is: Will this mild winter continue or are we going to pay for this with subzero temperatures and feet of snow continuing through April? Only time will tell.
I can tell you though that there are some interesting programs planned at the library for 2012 as the Lake Agassiz Regional Library presents The Sugarbeet Series, sponsored with money from the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.
As part of this series, on Wednesday, January 18, harpist/vocalist Chris Ward will present a concert at 7 p.m. at the Fosston Community Library Arts Center. Ward is from the Twin Cities and has appeared at the Guthrie theater, as will as performing for the kings of Sweden and Norway and the prime minister of Iceland. I’m listening to some of her music as I write - very enjoyable.
January also brings the Hot Reads for Cold Nights adult reading program, which will run January 3-February 29. Pick up an entry blank at the library, then read (or listen to) four books for a chance to win a prize. Make one of them The Memory Quilt: a Tale of Friends & Family Lost & Found in the Great Cloquet Fire of 1918 by Pamela J. Erickson, this year’s community read selection. Then make plans to come to the grand finale on March 6 to meet the author.
You’ll also want to read Rosamunde Pilcher’s Winter Solstice, which is the January selection for the Books and BonsBons Book Club, meeting Tuesday, Jan. 10., at 7 p.m. I haven’t read it yet, but it tells the story of five very different people who find themselves together in a dilapidate estate house in northern Scotland. Sounds intriguing.
The Fosston Community Library Arts Association annual meeting will be on Wednesday evening, January 11. Anyone is welcome to attend - watch for the official notice.
The local Poetry Outloud contest will be held at the arts center on Sunday, Jan. 22, at 2 p.m. The public is welcome - it’s nice to know that students are still learning poems.
Writers’ group will meet Thursday, January 26, at 7:30 p.m. If your New Years resolution is to do some writing, meeting with a group of like-minded individuals may be just the motivation you need. You can just show up, with or without something to share.

Auction for the Arts photos

Just a few shots showing the stage set and the refreshment table.

December at the Library Arts Center

The calendar has turned a page - it’s December, and I’m thinking, “How can that be? Didn’t school start just a few weeks ago?”
However, December it is, and the 2011 Daisy Hagen Auction for the Arts is now history. Once again around $10,000 was raised for the Fosston Community Library Arts Association, thanks to the many generous donors who provided items for the sale and the many generous buyers who purchased them. The stage, decorated by Pat Viken, was transformed into a country church at Christmas, and the Athenians once again provided a bountiful table of goodies. Linda Lohmeier was the auctioneer. Kim Wilson and Jerry Slough were recognized for their many years of service in organizing the auction. Both of them say it’s time for someone else to take over the job, so if anyone feels the call to head up this project in 2013, speak up.
If you attended the auction, you probably saw the art exhibit in the upper gallery, unless you missed it because you were too focused on the food table. Works by Fosston High School sophomore Caleb Curfman are currently on display. Curfman has studied with Sarah Steinbrenner and with Ric Sorenson. He works with watercolor and acrylics as well as combining “found” items in shadowboxes. He says, “The boxes all have a different meaning to everyone who looks at them. The more you look the more hidden pieces you will find.” If you haven’t yet seen them, stop by and take a look.
The annual meeting of the FCLAA will be coming up in January. Here’s your chance to learn a little more about what the organization really does and how it does it. The date has not yet been set, so watch for more information.
Writers’ group met on December 1 because of the holidays. In January the group will resume meeting on the third Thursday of each month. If you have an interest in writing, whether for publication or for your own enjoyment, you are welcome to join us.
Books and Bonbons book club will meet on Tuesday, December 13, at 7 p.m. This month’s book is Lost December by Richard Paul Evans. I haven’t read it yet, but here’s the synopsis: “As heir to the Crisp Copy Center fortune, Luke has it made - until he burns through his entire inheritance in just one year of partying. Ashamed to ask his famous father for help, he finds employment - and romance - as an entry-level clerk.” I don’t know what the dessert will be, but it will be good. See you there.