Behind on my posting

So Sorry that I haven't posted in a while.  It's been a busy year and going too fast for me!

I will be soon turning 17 in the next two months and don't know if I can keep up with everything.

Spending time out of the library and my health is not as good as it use to be.

I will try to keep everyone updated on all goings on at the library.

Your Friend,

Browser the Library Cat

Music of the Minnesota Legacy Program

Friends and Neighbors!

We are so lucky to be living in Minnesota, land of the Legacy Programs, funded in part or whole with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota November 4, 2008. This means that we can experience marvelous arts and cultural events for free.

 

The next Legacy Program is “Music of the Mississippi” with the Everett Smithson Band. As always, it is free. I won’t be able to attend since the venue is the Pine River Depot, but those of you who do attend, please come into our library and tell me all about it. The date of this program is Monday, October 16^th at 6:00 PM. It is, of course, open to everyone (except me). Band members are Phil Schmid on guitar, Jeremy Johnson on drums, the ubiquitous Bill Black on standup bass, and Everett and Kathy Smithson. If the concert isn’t enough, hang around afterwards. There will be a free, all ages, harmonica lesson given by Everett Smithson and sponsored by the Minnesota Blues Society. It’s pretty doubtful I could learn to play the harmonica, but perhaps you could!

 

For a complete schedule of Legacy funded events at Kitchigami Libraries, visit the Kitchigami Regional Library website: www.krls.org and click on Legacy Events.

 

Here’s hoping you are enjoying your fall.

Sincerely,

Browser, the library cat.

Library Building Foundation Memebers needed

Friends and neighbors,

In my dotage I am called upon to reach out to our community in many ways. Some are simply announcements. Others are calls for help.

This one is a call for help. Muriel has alerted me that we have a shortage of humans to help with our Pine River Library Building Foundation. Muriel writes:

“The Pine River Library Building Foundation is looking for 3 volunteer officers to serve on their board. The board meets 3 to 6 times a year.
Board members help with organizing fund raisers and volunteer for activities the Foundation sponsors. If interested contact Muriel Erickson at the Pine River Public Library. 218-587-4839.”
Here is an explanation of what, exactly, the Building Foundation is:

The Pine River Library Building Foundation is a non-profit 501[c]3. The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of 7 members. The Foundation supports the Pine River Library Building, making sure that our library continues to provide a comfortable, functional, and safe environment. The Foundation holds several events throughout the year to fund building maintenance and improvements. It was formed in 1996 to raise funds for the new library building and received a generous donation of the Pine River State Bank building in January of 1999 for library use.

Thanks to funds raised by the Building Foundation, renovations to the donated building were completed in July 2002. A new metal roof to the building was installed in spring of 2009. The old and damaged flooring was replaced with new tile in March of 2014.

Without these upgrades, my home, the Pine River Library, would be in serious disrepair. Thank you Building Foundation. And the good works continue as the Foundation holds fundraising events and applies for grant monies.

 

Join us! We need you. I need you.

Browser, the library cat

Minnesota's part in WWI topic of program

Friends and neighbors!

 Attention history buffs! We begin the month of May with a program about Minnesota’s part in WWI.

 The month of May offers more Legacy Programs. These free programs are funded in part or whole with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008 which dedicated funding to preserve Minnesota’s arts and cultural heritage.

 On Friday, May 5^th at the Lifehouse Coffee Shop on Barclay Ave at 4:00 PM, Arn Kind will present a riveting program on the 100^th anniversary of the United States’ entrance into World War I. Our participation in WWI only lasted 19 months but involved more than 100,000 men from Minnesota. What an astonishing number!

 These men served in the Army, Navy, Marine Corp, and Medical Corp.  Arn Kind will dress the part for this exciting living history program as you learn about the causes of the war, why Americans got involved, strategies used to win the war, the role women played, and the life of a typical Minnesota soldier.

 I certainly hope you can attend. I would if I could.

Browser, the library cat

SPRING IS A TIME FOR PEEPS

Well, friends and neighbors,

The winter reading program is fast coming to a close. Are you a procrastinator? If so, are you a speed reader?

Friday, March 31 is the final day. Bring you lists of 15 books you have read during these three months to the Pine River Public Library and receive you mug and my person thank you for enjoying our free public library.

The end of the winter reading program marks the beginning vestiges of spring. The weather is warming somewhat, and though we may still have snow there is hope just over the horizon for balmy weather.

It is the time of year for baby plants, baby animals, and Peeps. In case you didn’t know, “Peeps are marshmallow candies, sold in the United States and Canada, that are shaped into chicks, bunnies, and other animals. There are also different shapes used for various holidays.” Wikipedia

It’s entirely possible that you assumed I’d write some tome about the meaning of Easter. Not so this year. Peeps epitomizes the season for me. You are, perhaps, more of a chocolate bunny person, or maybe a Cadbury egg fan. The stores are full of these treats. Buy them, hide them, find them, eat them. What an interesting tradition!

I am a purist. I insist on yellow sugar dipped marshmallow chickens. Those are real Peeps. All others are imposters. This year there is a flavor they call “surprise”. I don’t want to be surprised by my Peeps. I like them just the way they are.

Better still, the older they get the more tasty. Keep them until the 4^th of July. The outside becomes crunchy while the inside is tantalizingly chewy.

Spring! A time for Peeps.

 

I remain, my sugar coated little friends,

Browser, the library cat

February is date month

Friends and neighbors,

It is February, the short month. Stuffed into this seemingly non-descript month is Valentines Day and President’s Day, the latter of which is a closed day for your library, Pine River Public Library. Chances are good that I will be taking a short vacation at my country home. I look forward to that.

February is also “I love to read” month. Very fitting for myself, since I live at a library. It is also the second month of our adult reading program. Do you have your sign-up sheet yet? 15 books and you get a great mug.

During Valentines week we have a special feature at our library. We are calling it “Blind Date with a book”. We have several books wrapped in red which we will be checking out to you. You will have no idea what is in this package until you open it at home. Read the book and return it with a review. Rate your date with a book! How fun is that? I love surprises.

I hope you find this chilly month filled with good reading and good friends.

Browser, the library cat

Rudolph reminds us that bullying is not OK

Happy holiday season, friends and neighbors.

With the onslaught of various holiday greetings and messages everywhere, I have been pondering the origins of some of these, for want of a better word, “things” that have become tradition - the colors of red and green, the tree with decorations, the wreath, various songs, St. Nicholas, stockings, and so forth.

Recently I was somewhere – I don’t remember quite where – and there was music playing. It was Christmas music, but it was unusual in that it involved a duet of cellos. They were playing “Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer”. The sound was lovely, but there was something so ridiculous about making lovely a song about a fictional [cartoon] character, that I began to wonder about Rudolph’s origins.

 

According to Wikipedia:

 

Robert L. May created Rudolph in 1939, as an assignment for Chicago-based Montgomery Ward. The retailer had been buying and giving away coloring books for Christmas every year and it was decided that creating their own book would save money. Rudolph was supposed to be a moose but that was changed because a reindeer seemed friendly.^{[citation needed]} May considered naming the reindeer "Rollo" or "Reginald" before deciding upon using the name "Rudolph".^[7] In its first year of publication, Montgomery Ward had distributed 2.5 million copies of Rudolph's story.

 

Wow. Those numbers certainly explain how Rudolph became so popular so quickly.  If you are not familiar with the story of Rudolph, it goes like this:

 

"The story chronicles the experiences of Rudolph, a youthful reindeer buck (male) who possesses an unusual luminous red nose. Mocked and excluded by his peers because of this trait, Rudolph manages to prove himself one Christmas Eve after Santa Claus catches sight of Rudolph's nose and asks Rudolph to lead his sleigh for the evening. Rudolph agrees, and is finally treated better by his fellow reindeer for his heroism."

 

I’m glad I researched this. It is a story with a message. Making fun of or bullying others because of some difference from ourselves is wrong. A difference is often a blessing.

 

Quickly let me say that we at the Pine River Public Library will be closed Saturday, Dec. 24 and Monday Dec. 26^th as well as Monday, Jan. 2^nd. Shortly thereafter – the very next day, in fact – the adult reading program begins. “Snow Time To Read”.

Read 15 books in three months (until March 31) and receive a mug. Slips for chronicling your reading are available at our library. For those who fill out a second slip, your names will be placed in a drawing for an infused water bottle.

 

Happy reading!

Browser, the library cat

 

Enjoy haunted house; celebrate Browser's birthday

Dear friends and neighbors,

 I am told that October 15^th is Star Wars read day.

 Now, I know what October is and I certainly know what “read” is, living as I do in a library, but I have no idea what Star Wars are. I have often looked up at the heavens and appreciated the many pins of light, but I have never witnessed any signs of war.

 To make matters more complicated, Chewy and BB8 are in residence for photo ops with the children. I have no idea who these creatures are. I have had my picture taken with them and nothing has gone awry. I assume they also must be safe if the children are willing to be photographed with them.

 I remain cautious.

 On a much lighter note, we are celebrating my 15^th birthday on October 31^st, Halloween. My actual date of birth remains a mystery, since I am a foundling. Halloween is, however, the perfect day to celebrate. There will, I am told, be cake served from 2 to 5.

 Muriel informs me that there will be no gifts except in the form of cat treats. Cat treats are always welcome. As the young people say, “bring it”!

 On Halloween night the house across from the library will be decorated as a haunted house. I love this. It will only be open for one night, which makes perfect sense since October 31^st is only one day.

 The cost to enter will be $2.00. Sadly, this money will be used to offset the cost of my vet bills. I have been infirmed. Though I am only 15, the age of young humans, this is past middle age for felines. Come and enjoy our haunted house and celebrate my birthday.

 

I remain, cautiously,

Browser, the library cat

Native Pride Productions Founder to present program in Pine River

Friends and neighbors,

 

“Heritage”, according to The Merrian-Webster Dictionary, is a legacy or birthright. I know nothing of my own heritage. I am what is known as a foundling. This is not the case of our latest offering from the Minnesota Legacy Program. He is Larry Yazzie, founder and artistic director of Native Pride Productions, Inc., established in 2003.

Mister Yazzie is an international lecturer, educator, performer, model and actor. He will present to Pine River residents in song and dance, the flamboyant and majestic movements passed down by his ancestors. This program will take place at The Warehouse on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 2:30PM. The Native Pride Dancer’s mission is to educate, inspire, motivate and empower diverse communities to bridge cultural gaps through indigenous traditions.

 

Don’t miss this fascinating and inspiring free program.

 

Legacy Programs are funded in part or whole with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008, which dedicated funding to preserve Minnesota’s arts and cultural heritage. For the complete schedule of Legacy funded events at Kitchigami Libraries, visit the Kitchigami Regional Library website: www.krls.org and click on Legacy Events.

 

I remain,

Browser, the library cat, seeker of heritage

Wishing Katy a Fond Farewell Aug 17 at the Pine River Library

Friends and neighbors,

   It is the season of change. From summer to fall, from vacation to school.

   We at the Pine River Public Library are experiencing a different kind of change. Our dear friend, Katy, is retiring. Sad, but true. It is a poignant time for us all. We will miss her greatly.

   There is, however, a little bright sunlight in this, a time of change. We are throwing Katy a party.  The date s Aug 17 time 4 pm to closing.   Come in to the library and wish Katy a fond farewell. I will, of course, be in attendance in all my glossy black glory. Hope you can attend. No RSVP necessary.
 
 I remain, Browser, the library cat

Pine River Library to host program on India, book sale

Friends and neighbors, and most specifically my younger friends and neighbors,

Soon, very soon, comes a special presentation sponsored by our Minnesota Legacy Program in whole or part with money dedicated to preserve Minnesota’s arts and cultural heritage. India!

“The seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country (with over 1.2 billion people), and the most populous democracy in the world…” according to Wikipedia.

Zaraawar Mistry and musician Greg Herriges with be presenting us with a story telling program featuring traditional Indian stories and folktales with music and interaction with the audience. Stories, marvelous stories, of retellings of classic myths, historical stories and animal fables from India will be featured.

Join the children and immerse yourself in the culture, wildlife, food and history of India on Wednesday, July 13^th at 2:00 PM at our Pine River Public Library.

 Book Sale

Ah, fabulous July! The book sale is coming up and Pine River Library is accepting books for the sale. Please, no Readers’ Digest books, encyclopedias or old text books. Bring your boxes of books to share with others. Will be taking books until a week before the sale. Please call the library if you are bring in lots.

The sale has been moved to July 29^th through July 31^st. Friday: 10AM-6PM. Saturday: 10AM-5PM. Sunday: 10AM-2PM. We have moved the date to coincide with Pine River’s Summerfest where there will be sidewalk sales, Arts and Crafts show, Pine River Flea Market on Friday, Art Club show, food, parade on Saturday, and Pine River Lions pancake breakfast on Sunday.

Spend this stellar time in beautiful Pine River, my home.

Browser, the library cat

Tasting for Progress Fund Raiser

Friends and neighbors of the adult human variety! There is a fabulous event coming soon. It is located at Bites Grill and Bar so I can’t attend, but Muriel promises to take the flat Browser so that I can at least make my presence known.

 

This event is to benefit both the Pine River Public Library and the Pine River Chamber. Isn’t that wonderful? Sponsored by Ultimate Liquors of Pine River, it is a Wine, Beer, and Spirits Tasting. There will be light hors d’oeuvres served and a special dinner offer that is optional during this event which will take place Thursday, May 19 from 5 to 8 PM. What fun! But that isn’t all. There will be a silent auction and a raffle. Wish I could go.

 

Tickets are available at Wireless Woods and Plaid Duck Art Mall, Pine River Library, Bites, Ultimate Liquors, Pine River Chamber Information Center, Gardiner’s Hardware, and Pine River State Bank. Advanced tickets are $20. Tickets will also be sold at the door for $25. The Funds will go toward the library building expansion and the Chamber website updates. If you have questions, call John at 587-4000. Obviously you must be 21 years or older. A portion of your ticket is tax deductible. Checks should be made payable to Pine River Library Building Foundation.

 

Have some fun!

Bring a friend

Browser, the library cat

Library welcomes Reed as associate librarian

Spring is a time for new beginnings. Here at Pine River Public Library we have begun.

Michaela Reed has begun as our new associate librarian. She is a long standing member of our community and many of us have known her for a long time.

Her parents, Liz Hedman and Scott Amundson are friends of mine. Liz worked at our old library, and many of you may remember her and her lovely daughter.

Come into the library and reacquaint yourselves with Michaela. Ask her about her favorite authors and what she studies at school in St. Cloud. Find out about her goals after finishing her schooling in St. Cloud. We at Pine River Library are happy to have her as our new/old member of our family.

Thanks to the free Legacy Program funded thanks to voters on November 4, 2008, preserving Minnesota’s arts and cultural heritage, we have a new program coming to Pine River May 14^th at 2 PM at Pine River Public Library. This will be Arna Rennan, presenting a musical performance featuring translated stories about Norwegian immigrants.

Music will be included from a variety of genres including the simple four lined poems, broadsides, waltz tunes, vaudeville songs from “Snoose Boulevard” sung in “Swenglish”, along with well known favorites here in Minnesota.

If you are Norwegian or if you know someone who is Norwegian or if your check out lady at the grocery is Norwegian or if you know where Norway is, you might want to attend this program. I know I will. I may not be Norwegian, but I like music.

 

Hope to see you soon.

I remain,

Browser, the library cat

 

Library to host Minnesota Author on April 29

Friends and neighbors,

I don’t think when the phrase “April showers bring May flowers” was written they were referring to snow showers. Obviously that particular writer wasn’t from Minnesota.

Still, perhaps the flowers will come regardless. Meantime, read loads of books about flowers. It will keep you hopeful.

Minnesota flowers in other ways regardless of late snow showers. The free Legacy Program is funded in part or in whole with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008 which dedicated funding to preserve Minnesota’s arts and cultural heritage.

Our late April offering from this Legacy Program here at the Pine River Public Library is bestselling Minnesota author, Brian Freeman. He is the author of ten psychological thrillers. Read one of these on a snowy April day.

Goodbye to the Dead was just released this March. Mr. Freeman’s books have won many awards and have been praised by critics and bestselling authors alike. Join us at the library on April 29^th, 2016 at 5:30 when we welcome Brian Freeman. He will give an exciting book talk about his works with a book signing following the talk. Books will be available for purchase.

 

Think spring, but in the meantime, read a good book.

I remain,

Browser, the library cat

Ups and downs at Pine River Public Library

Well, friends and neighbors, I feel like I’m on a trampoline here at the Pine River Public Library. Ups and downs.

First the down part. Sarah is leaving. She has taken a full time job. They tell me she will come for visits. I hope this is true. Sarah is my family. I will miss her terribly. I’m sure you will too. We wish her well, of course.

Now for the “up” part. Your online library has been expanded. This is a two part expansion.

• First of all, check out Ebooks Minnesota, a newly launched online ebook collection for all Minnesotans. The collection covers a wide variety of subjects for readers of all ages and features contents from our state’s independent publishers including some of our best literature and nonfiction.
• Secondly, Kitchigami Library patrons can now access their favorite digital magazines using “Flipster” from EBSCO Information Services. Flipster is a next-generation digital magazine service that allows people (and felines) to browse (Apparently this has to do with me.) the latest issues of high quality digital versions of popular magazines, courtesy of the library.
  For help and instructions, check with the desk at our library. I’ll need a little help with this as well.
   
  The lakes are melting and it is time for spring. Enjoy!
  I remain,

Browser, the library cat

Gangsters in Minnesota topic of upcoming program at Pine River Library

Friends and neighbors!

My favorite Minnesota Legacy program is coming soon. Chad Lewis will be with us at Pine River Public Library on Friday, March 18^th at 5:30. Chad will talk to us about gangsters and their colored past in our state of Minnesota. I think I might have been a gangster in a former life, since I find the deadly bank robberies, explosive shootouts, brutal murders, and darling kidnappings hugely compelling.

Here is Mr. Lewis’ short bio:

My name is Chad Lewis and I am a researcher, author, and lecturer on topics of the strange and unusual. My background is in Psychology as I did both my Bachelor and Master degree work in the field but for the last 20 years I have traveled the globe in search of unique and bizarre stories and history.

Join me, Browser, at the library for this lively presentation.   This program is brought to us, by the Minnesota Legacy Program, which dedicated funding to preserve Minnesota’s arts and cultural heritage.

 

Your friend,

Browser, the library cat

Adult reading program under way

Read, read, read! It’s time for the adult reading program at Pine River Public Library. “Snow Time to Read” is starting. By the time you read this we are up a running – or “reading”, rather. The dates are January 2 through the end of March.

Pick up an entry sheet at the front desk of the library and several books from the stacks. Complete 15 books and win a mug. I collect all of them. I like to read.

 You might consider reading from a couple of authors who will be making a visit to the library later in the year. Chad Lewis will appear March 18^th  at 5:30 pm and writes of gangsters and ghosts. Brian Freeman, international best selling author of psychological suspense novels visits us April 29^th at 5:30m pm.  Be informed and ready to ask questions of these two renowned authors.

Craig Nagel is coming to the library. He is not only a local [Pequot Lakes] and a swell guy, he’s a wonderful writer. Craig will be at our library January 23^rd at 1:00pm to do a book talk on his latest book, “Fred’s Way”. Unlike his previous books, this one is a novel. It’s a coming of age story of a young man torn between going off to college to become an ordained Lutheran pastor or staying at home to marry his high school sweetheart. Check this one out and visit with Craig.

 

I remain,

Browser, the library cat

'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