The January Book Club book is changing from Willa Cather’s My Antonia to O Pioneers, also by Cather. We should start receiving copies to read for the book club sometime next week.
If you’d like to see what our selections are for 2018, take a look at our book list. Just a reminder – we meet at Betty Sue’s Better Brew Cafe on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 6pm!
We will have our last story time of the year this coming Wednesday, November 15 at 10AM. Story time will resume after the Holidays on January 10. So bring your preschooler on Wednesday for a fun time learning more about Thanksgiving and turkeys!
Come to a book talk on the World War I experiences of Minnesota brothers Marland and Stanley Williams on October 19. With Love to All: The World War I Letters and Photographs of Two Minnesota Brothers Marland and Stanley Williams was published by the Goodhue County Historical Society in June 2017. The talk with begin at 6 pm in the Pine Island History Center.
Assembled and published for the first time, this collection of photographs and letters by the Williams brothers is a compelling and personal narrative of army life during World War I. Upon the United States’ declaration of war in April 1917, seventeen-year-old Marland and his older brother Stanley volunteered for duty. Marland was a bandsman with the 125th Field Artillery of the 34th Sandstorm Division – among the first Minnesota units sent to Camp Cody, New Mexico, for training. His treasure trove of photographs and letters describe every aspect of the 125th F. A. during its nearly year-long training experience and journey to France. Stanley enlisted as a member of the Minnesota 151st Field Artillery, part of the legendary 42nd Rainbow Division. As one of the first units to fight in France. Battalion Sergeant Major Stanley Williamss letters give a glimpse into Rainbow Division’s combat experience as it endured many of the war’s most costly battles.
Book editor Elizabeth Williams Gomoll, granddaughter of Marland Williams, will bring these letters and photographs to life, providing an intimate, inside perspective on these principled and dedicated Minnesota brothers during a momentous period of American history. After the talk, attendees will have the opportunity to purchase a copy of With Love to All and have it signed by Ms. Gomoll.
Elizabeth Williams Gomoll is professional genealogist. She is president of the Association of Professional Genealogists Northland Chapter, and co-editor of the Minnesota Genealogist quarterly journal. Liz is also a professional flutist, performing with the Rochester Symphony and the Minneapolis Pops Orchestra. When weather permits, Liz and her husband Roger find joy in flying their 1928 open cockpit biplane.
This program is sponsored by the Pine Island Van Horn Library, Pine Island Area Historical Society, Goodhue County Historical Society, and the Red Wing Shoe Company Foundation.
We have book club tonight at Shawna’s Cafe on Main Street. I look forward to seeing you there to discuss The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson at 6:00!
Want to join us next month? We will be discussing Devil in the White City by Eric Larson on August 9.
We recently started a series of programs from The Lincoln Center called Lincoln Center On Screen. Unfortunately, the Lincoln Center has just announced that it is suspending this program as of July 1. Here is their announcement. What that means for us here is that the remaining viewings we had scheduled this year are cancelled until further notice. We are looking into other options to bring this kind of world-class cultural programming to Pine Island, so stay tuned!
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!
The Van Horn Public Library is joining forces with the Pine Island Chamber of Commerce with their Antique & Craft Flea Market. While the Flea Market goes on all weekend, we are only going to be there on Saturday, April 29 from 8:00 – 4:00.
Come find us in the City Parking Lot on the corner of Main Street and 3rd Street SE. We will have used books for all ages along with some DVDs & CDs.
Shop early and often for the best selection!
We would like to thank the Pine Island Chamber of Commerce for letting us have our booth for free!
The barn tour was cancelled due to weather on February 25, and we are sorry to say that we are unable to reschedule it this spring. Thank you all for your interest and we look forward to seeing you at the library soon!
An avid speaker, storyteller, and photographer, Doug has deep roots in Minnesota and has been a part of the creation of eight books featuring his photography. Prairie, Lake, Forest: Minnesota’s State Parks was a 2011 MNBA Finalist and Barns of Minnesota was a Finalist in 2006.
Ohman has captured the varied essence of the state and has created several photographic series on such subjects as cabins, barns and schoolhouses. In his presentation Vanishing Landmarks he’ll explore the back roads and small towns. We’ll hear the stories and history of Minnesota through historic buildings that are quickly disappearing. Doug will share his own experiences visiting many of these sites from Minnesota’s Oldest Courthouse to the last Civil War recruiting station.
Along with being an award-winning photographer, Doug Ohman is an author, storyteller, and popular public speaker. His work has been widely published in books, calendars, and numerous state and national magazines. Over the past seven years, Ohman has been working with the Minnesota Historical Society on the popular book series, “Minnesota Byways,” which includes Ohman’s exquisite photographs, coupled with texts by some of Minnesota finest authors, on the state’s vanishing historic sites—churches, barns, courthouses, schoolhouses, cabins, and libraries.
Ohman was born and raised in Anoka, Minnesota, and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in history and geography. Before turning to full-time photography, he worked as the director of operations at the Mall of America’s Camp Snoopy. He now makes a living through landscape and historical photography, traveling thousands of miles each year to document his subjects, while at the same time making regular stops at more than 30 art fairs and festivals around the state.
The SELCO Winter Author Tour project is made possible with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the people of Minnesota for Library Legacy activities.
For more information call 507-356-8558 or email pipl@selco.info.