'Lost Towns' topic of Pine River Library Prgram Oct 17th

Honestly, friends and neighbors,

I find Rhona Fochs’ subject the most fascinating of any that we experience. She writes about lost towns in Minnesota. The History Channel may chat about a variety of areas, but this is about ours. Our very own Minnesota, and more specifically, the “Northern Edition”.

There is something so very special about exploring. I love doing it myself. Ms. Fochs explores as well, but then she does research and shares her information with the rest of us.

This presentation will be at The Warehouse October 17^th at 2:00 PM. Lucky for you. Sad for me, since it is indeed special and I’d like to listen.

October is black cat month. Not really. I made that up. October is Halloween month and my birthday month. Since none of us knows my actual birthday, we celebrate on Halloween. I will be 14 this year! So far, so good.

On October 31^st be sure to keep your pets indoors. It is not a good time for them to wander about. I, too, will have a curfew.

Happy birthday to me.

I remain,

Browser, the library cat

"Once Upon a Reader" to be presented at Pine River Library

Hi ho, hi ho, it’s back to work I go!

Yes indeed, I’m back at the library schmoozing with people and generally hanging out. I am so blessed. I did enjoy my animal time in the country alone with Graycie, but she’ll have to go it alone now. This is my calling. No, the construction isn’t over yet, but soon, I hope, very soon.

And so on with things. Once Upon A Reader is coming to Pine River September 28^th at 1:00 PM.  This is brought to you by the Council of Regional Public Library System Administrators and funded by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the Clean Water land and Legacy Amendment. Wow! That’s a mouth full.

Lots of people are making other people’s lives better. This adventure is with author David LaRochelle and illustrator Mike Wohnoutka and Cow, the star of the book MOO! It is a one of a kind kid and family show. No, not baby goats, people children and their parents.

The suitable ages are 0 – 6 with parents being a bit older, I would hope. The program will be about 45 minutes in length and will be right here in my home, The Pine River Public Library.

 

See you soon.

I remain,

Browser, the library cat

Book sales to benefit Paws and Claws Rescue

  Friends and neighbors, 
 

Because I’m a published author, the bookish kind, I am having a book signing! We have purchased a number of copies of my book, “Rescued. The Stories of 12 Cats, Through Their Eyes.”

We are selling these “signed” copies for $13 with the profits going to Paws and Claws Rescue. They are a wonderful organization dedicated to rescuing animals as I was rescued. They are a work in progress with a dream of building a wonderful facility.  Currently they are operating from a bus.

Come in and buy my book and help support them.
  Spaying and neutering are currently handled through them on a sliding scale. Thank you, Paws and Claws. Fewer baby animals with no homes. I was one of the lucky ones. 
 

These books can be ordered online as well. Please focus your purchase for July as this is our month when the proceeds from sales go to Paws and Claws. It’s important. 
 

Oh, goody! Literally. Pie on Park Avenue is coming up on July 31. We hope you or someone you know would love to bake pies or volunteer to help, set up, serve and clean up.

This particular fundraiser is near and dear to my heart, since the proceeds will go toward the three-season porch where I would hang out, since I’m not allowed to roam free any longer. Check the library Facebook page for more information.

And more goody! Aug. 1, the day after all the pie, is the Cupcake Wars. Sugar shock! Enter! This is really fun. Entry forms can be printed from the library website or pick one up at our library. 
   

Your entry forms must be turned back into the library by July 21, so think cupcakes. Set up is at 10 a.m. Aug. 1. The public judges from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Daytime, not night. Awards will be given out at 1 p.m. The winner will have their name put on the cupcake plaque. Be a star, bake. 


 

   Until I see you again,

   I remain,

   Browser, the library cat
 

Chit Chat with the Library Cat

Friends and neighbors,

A couple of years ago I was asked to write a brief summary of the life and times of Browser, the Library Cat.  What male, or female for that matter, doesn't like to talk about themselves?  I dashed off a few hundred words and thought nothing more about it.  A few months later I was told I "made the cut" out of several hundred entrants.  What that meant I really had no clue.  The upshot, though, was that I was then asked to turn 600 words into 3000 words!  This took a rather long time, but with the help of Muriel, our head librarian, I was able to come up with anecdotes I had all but forgotten.  Life goes on, as we all know, and the past becomes somewhat hazy.  Along with this epistle I was to provide the name of a pet rescue near me who would be rewarded monetarily for their service to felines and canines.  Muriel suggested Paws and Claws Rescue & Resort.  I know nothing about pet rescue organizations except the Pine River Public Library who rescued me, and I took her suggestion. A great deal more time passed.  Now, it seems, my story has been published along with the stories of eleven more rescued felines.  The name of this book is  "Rescued. The Stories of 12 Cats, Through Their Eyes".  The book is available through Amazon and Barnes and Noble, but wait!  If you purchase our book during the month of July a portion of the proceeds will go to Paws and Claws, Muriel and I are working on a book signing for that month.  We'll let you know.

Meanwhile, life at the Library goes on.  Summer is a time for -- you guessed it -- the summer reading program.  The theme this year is "Read To The Rhythm".  I'm wondering if this means either reading with music playing or perhaps only reading books about music and dance.  Could be, I suppose.  At any rate, the kids' program is K to 6th grade, the teen program 7th to 12th grade.  This program will run for eight weeks with activity days on Thursdays from 1:00 to 2:30.  Sign up is required,  Call the Library for more information.  587-4639.

Several more noteworthy events are programmed for summer:

Friday (10 - 6), Saturday (10 - 5), and Sunday (10 - 2), June 26 - 28 is the Summerfest Book Sale.
Sunday will be bargain day, but don't count on the book of your dreams being left over.  This event has earned me my title "Browser, King of Books" for my propensity for sitting atop the piles of books

July 31 is "Pie on Park Avenue".  It begins at 9:00 am and continues until 3:00 or whenever the pies run out.  It will take place at 209 Park Ave across from the Library.  Proceeds will go  toward my three season reading porch which you may share.  This event is a long standing tradition in Pine River and has recently been adopted by my Library.

August, lovely August, brings the Cupcake Wars!  August 1st is the date, The Warehouse the location.  This is the third annual event.  Be giving this some thought.  It is really fun.  Set up is at 10:00 am, tasting begins at 11:00 am and awards are given out at 1:00 pm.  The tasters are the judges in this competition.  Sign is required.  Form a group of friends, neighbors, or grandchildren and have fun with food!  More information can be had at the Library.

August 26 to 30 is the Bluegrass Festival, and once again the Library Foundation will be selling specialty coffees, popcorn and ice cream.

Sugar, sugar, sugar, and books.  What better combination?  In addition, June 23rd at 6:00 pm at the Pine River Public Library, the Minnesota Legacy Program will present Julie Klassen, the Christian Fiction author, so sugar, sugar, sugar, books, and more books!

Enjoy your summer as I will mine.

I remain,
Browser, the library cat

Summer brings author, book sale to Pine River Library

Friends and Neighbors:

Summer! We knew it was coming, but the actual event seemed so distant during our long winter.

Our Minnesota Legacy Program is kicking off summer here at Pine River Public Library with Minnesota Book Award winner, Julie Klassen. She will be with us Tuesday, June 23^rd at 6:00PM to talk about her books and the writing process involved and will be doing a book signing after the book talk.

Klassen writes inspirational Regency era romance novels and currently has 8 books out with another coming out this July.

Summer! The Summerfest book sale is June 26^th to June 28^th. Books can only be donated until June 15, and then only during regular library hours. If you have books to donate, hurry up!

Normally I am no longer allowed to be loose. I hate the entire idea of a leash, but such is life and politics, and I have learned to live with it. However, during the book sale I will once again be allowed to be King of Books. It is one of my favorite hats to wear.

The Friday hours are 10:AM to 6:PM. Saturday 10:AM to 5:PM, Sunday (bargain day) is 10:AM to 2:PM.

Come and see me. Bring home some great reading material. We will be located across from the library next to the Catholic Church.

 

Until then I remain,

Browser, the library cat, future King of Books

Pine River summer reading program to begin

Young friends and neighbors and parents of same,

Soon, very soon, the summer reading program will commence. The theme is “Read to the Rhythm”.

My friend and ghost writer played in a band for many years and this theme rings true for her. We feel everybody should fill their lives with music.

Our summer reading program, as always, is divided into two groups: our younger readers ages 5 to 12, and our teen readers ages 13 to 18. Activities will, of course, be age appropriate.

We will be learning to dance! We will have a special guest who will tell us about different musical instruments. We will indeed have a wonderful time!

 

Here are the specifics:

• Sign up begins June 1^st. Young people can pick up their reading logs at this time. (As an aside, humans tend to call their youngsters “kids”. This program is for human children, not baby goats.)
• This program continues from June 8^th until August 1^st.
• Thursdays are activity days. Children will need to sign up in advance.
• Prizes for reading are given out every week.
• By finishing all eight weeks, participants will have their names in a drawing for a larger prize and will be invited to the end of program party.
   
  Also the month of June, Story Times are being sponsored by the Pine River Lions Club.  If you wish to sponsor a month of Library Story Times please contact the Pine River Library at 587-4639. 
   
  Join me, Browser, the library cat, at our Pine River Library for fun times in summer. See you soon.
   

Pine River Library to host Legacy Program

Happy Spring, friends and neighbors.

April showers bring May flowers – if they aren’t covered in snow. This is Minnesota. Some May days are sunny and spring like, some others not so much.

We at the Pine River Public Library are welcoming May with another free Minnesota Legacy Program, thanks to the vote of our citizens on November 4, 2008. Thank you, people of Minnesota.

This program will take place on Saturday, May 16 at 2:00 at the Riverview Life Center on Barclay. It is none other than the Twin Cities Hardingfelelag. You pronounce it. I’m at a total loss.

Still, I know what they do. This is a five piece Norwegian folk group providing traditional dance music from Norway and Western and Central Europe. In this age of searching for your roots (I know something of mine.), this concert should bring a feeling of coming home to many of our residents.

Come and join them. Stomp your feet, clap your hands, move to the tunes of your ancestors. There will even be an historical discussion and time for questions and perhaps answers.

Our Legacy Programs continue. For a complete schedule of these marvelous events, visit the Kitchigami Regional Library website: www.krls.org. Click on Legacy Events.

I absolutely know deep down that there will be an event you will want to attend. The ones that take place in our library will be attended by me.

 

Story times for the month of May are being sponsored by the Brainerd Dispatch Echo Publishing.

 

I remain,                                                                                                            

Browser, the library cat, author of some note.

P.S. (That stands for post script.): My life story appears in the recently released book, “Rescued. The stories of 12 cats through their eyes.” Need I say more?

My visit to the Thomas Cooper Library

I visited the Thomas Cooper Library on the University of South Carolina’s main campus, in Columbia, South Carolina. My friend Bob deTomaat works there, and kindly showed me around. I posed outside with two of TCL’s librarians, Bill Sudduth and Debbie Yerkes. 

They then took me into the Government Information and Maps department, where they both work. There I found all sorts of fishy cookbooks put out by the Department of the Interior. One of the student workers there, Tyler Johnson, helped me pose for the picture I took with some of the more interesting cookbooks.

I liked the one called “Fancy Catfish” the best, I think. Then I was shown some of the kitty-themed documents that have been put out by the GPO (Government Printing Office, for those of you who might not know). I even learned how Wildcat and Coyote tricked each other! I’m glad neither of them have tricked me. MOL!

That's how my trip went. Stay tuned for my next exciting adventure!

I remain,

Browser the Library Cat

History of quilts to be presented April 17 in Pine River

Friends and neighbors!

The thought of being wrapped in a cozy quilt warms the cockles of my heart, whatever cockles are.
This month we welcome Vickie Wendel who knows everything there is to know about quilts, probably. I wonder if she knows what cockles are. Never mind that.
Ms. Wendel will give us a talk about the many stories that have been handed down about various quilts and she may poke holes in some - the stories, not the quilts.
She will let us know about the history and traditions of quilting and will bring quilt squares, small quilts and pictures of actual period pieces. Friday, April 17th at 4:00 PM at my home, Pine River Public Library.
Quilt facts, folklore, and fabrication! I plan to attend. So should you.


Later this month bestselling author, Lauraine Snelling will visit us at The Warehouse in Pine River on Saturday, April 25th at 2:30. Chances are good that you have read some of her books, since she is an award winning author of over 80 books! Some of them take place in our wonderful state of Minnesota. This is a special program and book signing. A book signed by the author! Just think about that.

Don’t forget to visit Pine River Library and wish our special librarians on April 16th. It is National Librarian Day!


The Library parking signs are back. They were gone during snow removal season. Half the parking lot is designated as library parking.

The Month of April Story times are being sponsored by Ladies Auxiliary VFW in Jenkins.

Hope to see you soon. We at Pine River Public Library make every effort to make life interesting and informative for you, all my favorite people.

I remain,

Browser, the library cat

Sharing Ideas for Spring

Hello, friends and neighbors.

   Browser here with some ideas for spring. Going to the nursery or discount store to buy flowers means you may need deep pockets. (I, of course, have no pockets, not being a marsupial.) I have some suggestions.

   Buying annual plants is a quick fix to a sad looking yard, but it is a yearly expense. Consider perennials. These are often very expensive. My friend and co-author does her perennial shopping through a couple of wholesale catalogs.

   This means you often have to purchase several of one kind of plant. This is not necessarily a bad thing. A large planting of, say, astilbe or echinacea can be very eye-catching.

   Another option would be to get together with friends and agree to split various items. Here are two catalogs, both of which can be viewed online. Our library has computers that you can use by reserving a time and presenting your Kitchigami library card. Simply call. 587-4639.

   K.van Bourgondien & sons, inc. Website: www.dvbwholesale.com They have a huge selection and plenty of information about each plant and whether it is good for Central Minnesota.

   Breck’s Wholesale. Website: www.breckswholesale.com They have some wonderful choices not seen in the other catalogs. They also have items listed by zone.
   I have mentioned “zone”. Here in Pine River we are a zone 3 unless you are planting in a protected area or next to the south side of a building. Then you can venture into zone 4.
   Both of the catalogs I have mentioned have sun, shade, and partial shade (4 hours of sun) marked. Also, many of the plants are nasty to deer and this is also marked. What is it with deer? I don’t go around eating people’s flowers. Of course I’m a carnivore. That might be the difference. 


Check out our library’s selection of books on planting a garden.


Remember, March 31 is the end of the adult winter reading program. Bring your completed book list to the library and enjoy your new mug!


I remain,
Browser, the library cat

Historical re-enactment program on tap Feb 13

My physiognomy is medically sound thanks to today’s veterinarian medicine. I wonder how I might have fared in the 1820’s. Have you ever wondered something similar? On Friday, February 13^th at 3:00 the doctor will be in at the Pine River Public Library. You can ask him yourself. This is not an ordinary doctor, but Fort Snelling’s medical personage from the 1820’s. In this historical re-enactment the doctor will discuss treatments for various diseases of the time. Often the treatment sounds worse than the ailment.

The following day, February 14^th, is, of course, Valentine’s Day. One must wonder whether visiting Fort Snelling’s doctor would have allowed you to live until Valentine’s Day. Incidentally, Valentine of Rome was a priest in Rome who was martyred about AD 496. That’s a lot of Valentines Days!

Remember that February 16^th is President’s Day, honoring our early presidents, George Washington of cherry tree fame, and Abraham Lincoln, a man who knew his hats. (This is an obscure reference to “The Cat in the Hat”.) The library will be closed that day.

Also starting this year a different business or person will be sponsoring Story time for the month.  This Month I will be the sponsor.

I remain

Browser, the library cat

New Addition for the Pine River Library

Oh my, friends and neighbors!

The people at my home here at the Pine River Public Library are working on a project to expand my world. I can hardly believe it. I will be able to sit in the sunshine most of the year. Let me explain.

The Pine River Building Foundation voted unanimously (whatever that means) to build me a three season reading porch with sliding storm windows, no less. You, friends and neighbors, are welcome to share. The project will cost a meager $18,000. I am certainly worth it. The porch will be an estimated 225 square feet. That’s plenty big for me and a few of my closest friends.

The funds for this project are coming from a number of sources. Pine River Lions Club, which I have not encountered in perambulations or I would certainly remember them, has donated $200 to the project. John Stranne, president of the Lions, is shown presenting the check to Steve Hansen, Library Building Foundation board chair. Okay, I have to interject here. I see no lions in this picture, nor do I think Mr. Steve looks anything like a chair.

News release item: Fundraising will continue, and grant opportunities are being considered. The Foundation will take over the Pie on Park Avenue fundraiser, previously run by the Riverview Tabernacle Church. Proceeds from this event will go towards the reading porch project. A Rotary Club matching grant is also a possible funding source for this project.

I am hugely excited. For more information, call the library (218-587-4639), email the foundation at prfoundation@krls.org or if you wish to send donations, send them to PO Box 14, Pine River, MN, 56474.

Thank you one and all in advance for my new room.
I remain,

Browser, the library cat