The STEM parent/child workshop with Mad Science of Minnesota at the Princeton Area Library scheduled for 6:30 pm tonight, April 3 is CANCELED due to the weather. The instructor is coming from the Twin Cities where conditions are even worse. We hope to get back to those that pre-registered for the class if we can reschedule it. We will contact you within the next week if we are able to do so. We apologize for any inconvenience.
The culminating event of the 1st ECRL Reads program is quickly approaching. Our ECRL Reads author Mary Casanova will be visiting four East Central Regional Library branches during November to discuss her book, Ice-Out. For the last 8 weeks community members throughout our six counties have come together through the reading and discussion of Ice-Out and by attending multiple programs on Prohibition, the Model T, jazz music, F. Scott Fitzgerald and more topics based on the 1920s era from the book.
Mary Casanova is an award-winning Minnesota author. Many of her books stem from her life on the Minnesota-Canadian border; yet some of her stories have taken her as far away as France, Norway, and Belize for research. Casanova grew up in a family of 10 children in St. Paul, Minnesota. In a bustling camp-like atmosphere, Casanova found that writing became her voice. “Words are my paintbrush,” she explains, “my way of exploring the world around me.”
Ice-Out is the story about 19-year-old Owen Jensen who has big dreams growing up in tiny Ranier, Minnesota, near the Canadian border. But in the lawless Prohibition era of the 1920s, few paths are open to young men in his town, other than farming, fishing and bootlegging. Inspired by real events in early 1920s Minnesota, it is a story of young romance against terrible odds and true grit on the border between license and responsibility, rich and poor, and right and wrong.
Casanova will be at the following ECRL branches:
- Aitkin Public Library on Monday, November 13 at 6:30 pm
- Princeton Area Library on Tuesday, November 14 at 6:30 pm
- Wyoming Area Library on Wednesday, November 15 at 6:30 pm
- Pine City Public Library on Thursday, November 16 at 6:30 pm.
Books will be available for sale by the author and Scout and Morgan Books from Cambridge.
The ECRL Reads program and Mary Casanova’s visit is funded with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Join us for this free program and listen as Mary talks about how events from her own family became an integral part of the Ice-Out story and why historical fiction plays an important part in literature.
Learn all about “The War to End All Wars” with popular historical presenter Arn Kind. Kind is presenting “Minnesota in the Great War” to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the United States’ entry into World War I. This two hour exciting, living history program is free and open to the public and will be held at the Chisago Lakes Area Library on Saturday, November 4 at 10:30 am and at the Princeton Area Library on Thursday, November 9 at 6:30 pm.
For the United States, the First World War lasted just 19 months and involved more than 100,000 men from Minnesota. They served in the army, navy, marine corps and medical corps. Of that number more than 1,400 were killed in battle or fatally wounded. Another 2,000 died of disease, many from the flu epidemic that broke out during the war.
Kind, in his presentation, will discuss the causes of the war; why and how America got involved; strategies used to win the war; the uniform, weapons, equipment and the life of the typical Minnesota soldier or “Doughboy;” and the role women played in the war.
The audience will learn about the new technologies that were introduced during the war. Technologies such as the airplane, submarine, tank and the introduction of lethal gas on the battlefield made the Great War the first “industrial war.” Minnesotans found themselves on battlefields and seas that were far more lethal than anything that had come before.
The event is funded with funds from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
Due to some last minute cancellations we now have spots OPEN for the last Mark Moran appraisal program at the North Branch Area Library on Thursday, November 2 from 5:00-8:00 pm
To register for the North Branch event call 763-392-0657. Please leave only ONE message and do not call your local ECRL branch. They cannot register you for the event. Someone will get back to you during HQ office hours with details about the event.
Have you ever wondered the worth of that prized possession you keep in your display case or jewelry box? Or how about a coveted piece of fine art, old toy or sports memorabilia?
Now you can find out.
The East Central Regional Library presents author and appraiser Mark Moran and his traveling antique appraisal program at select branch locations this month. Moran, who has appeared on the PBS program, Antiques Roadshow, will evaluate your item and help you learn more about its history.
Here is the schedule:
- Monday, Oct. 23, 5-8 p.m., Cambridge Public Library
- Thursday, Oct. 26, 5-8 p.m., Mora Public Library
- Saturday, Oct. 28, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Princeton Area Library
- Thursday, Nov. 2, 5-8 p.m., North Branch Area Library
One item per household may be appraised. Acceptable items include fine art, furniture, ceramics, glassware, vintage photographs, advertising, folk art, assorted toys, metalware, clocks, costume jewelry, musical instruments, books and sports memorabilia.
Excluded items include all weapons, including swords and knives (folding knives with advertising accepted); traps, like leg-hold; Nazi memorabilia; coins and paper money; fine jewelry, including precious gems; and Beanie Babies.
Registration for appraisals is required. You can only register by calling 763-392-0657. Please leave only ONE message and do not call your local ECRL branch. They cannot register you for the program. Someone will get back to you as soon as possible. Additional guests who would just like to listen and observe are welcome.
Opinions of value are informal and may not be used for insurance or charitable donation, which requires a certified appraisal. This is not a certified appraisal.
This project is funded with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
