Reading! Everyone is talking about it. I hope your year will include reading, whether reading aloud to a child, reading a magazine, reading online, reading an e-book, whatever. I hope you seek to read more in the coming year.
Here are some titles to consider reading this year. Jack Higgins is a well known suspense author and his latest title “Rain on the Dead” is no exception. Sean Dillon, black ops specialist and his colleague, Caption Sara Gideon, are visiting the former President Jake Cazalet the night two Chechen mercenaries come ashore in Nantucket to kill him. The Chechens don’t survive but as Dillon tries to figure out how they got on the island he realizes that this is just the beginning.
The author of the bestselling book “Orphan Train” has just released “Bird in Hand.” We all make choices, but sometimes the choices we make change our lives in ways we can’t fathom. Allison has just had such a juncture, a choice was made and now she finds herself in a different life and she’s not sure how to move forward.
Another book about choices is by Icelandic author Audur Ava Olafsdottir and called “Butterflies in November.” A woman and the deaf-mute son of her best friend set off on a road trip encountering a string of eccentric locals and peculiar locales. Along the way they are both transformed and discover how to face their futures.
Sookie Stackhouse is a popular book character created by Charlaine Harris and featured in the HBO series True Blood. In “Dead But Not Forgotten”, 15 other authors write their own stories from the world of Sookie Stackhouse. Get one last glimpse into her world from the viewpoint of others.
Dog is man’s best friend or is it man is dog’s best friend, whichever the case, dog stories are always popular. Here are two new titles sure to keep you up late reading.
“Bespotted: My Family’s Love Affair with Thirty-Eight Dalmatians” by Linda Gray Sexton and “Miracle Dogs: Rescue Stories” by Liz Stavrinides; both adorable ‘aaah’ moments and heart-wrenching tales.
True crime stories seem to grip many of us and “Murder in the Stacks” by David DeKok is about a 1969 stabbing in the Pattee Library at Penn State University which scared generations of Penn State students until it was finally solved after the death of the murderer.
Let’s end this week with “Women in Space” by Karen Bush Gibson and 23 stories of first flights, scientific missions and gravity-breaking adventures.
Final decisions have been made about which films to include in the fifth On the Edge Film Festival, on Thursday, Jan. 29, at 7 p.m. It will be a terrific evening of family entertainment with all the films appropriate for children ages 10 and up. The next two weeks I’ll highlight one or two and be sure and watch for the press release with details about all of the films. It will be a great evening. Plan now to attend.
The Tuesday Musicale December Christmas party was conducted at 6 p.m. Dec. 16 at the home of Linda Torseth. A festive ham dinner was served by hostess Torseth with potluck accompaniments provided by the members.
Fundraising for the Tuesday Musicale Student Music Camp Scholarship Fund was discussed. A letter requesting donations to the fund was shared with the members. A total of 203 scholarships to music camps have been awarded since 1964 to the present.
During that time, over $50,000 has been raised through fundraising, concert sponsorships and donations from local businesses, organizations and individuals. Letters will be sent in January to potential donors with personal contact by members to follow.
Dates for fundraising events were announced and committee plans discussed. The first event was an afternoon for “The Young at Heart” with “Grandpa Magic” Nelson presenting his magic program to a young audience of children and their parents at Backus Community Center. Proceeds benefited the TM scholarship fund.
A “Fresh Spring Roll” dinner will be served Feb. 21 at Backus. A variety of Vietnamese delicacies will be served and participants will have the opportunity to make their own spring rolls. Hoa Sobczynski, assisted by members, leads this hands-on event. Different ingredients will be used for the spring rolls, which are not to be confused with deep-fried egg rolls. The public is welcome, but attendance is limited to 40 persons.
The third spring fundraising event is the annual Borderland Musicale Showcase, scheduled for March 28. Performing will be previous music camp scholarship recipients and local talent from area schools. Music instructors will be contacted and interested students may participate. The public is welcome to this Showcase concert at 7 p.m. at Backus Auditorium.
All proceeds from these events benefit the Tuesday Musicale Summer Music Camp Scholarship Fund.
A Christmas program by members followed the December business meeting.
Doug Skrief, in reminiscence of returning to International Falls in the 1990s, recited two stories: “Journey of the Magi” by T.S. Eliot and “Growing Up” by Truman Capote.
Kathy Thureen played several Christmas carols on her flute, including “The Birthday of a King,” “O Come, O Come, Immanuel,” “Christmas Day in the Morning,” “O Little Child of Bethlehem,” “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” and “I Wonder as I Wander.”
Torseth read “A Cup of Christmas Tea” by Tom Hegg. Margarete Kostiuk played two selections on her harmonica, “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” and “Christmas in Killarney.”
The evening closed traditionally with Kostiuk singing “Silent Night”, first in German (“Stille Nacht”) and then in English, with members joining her.
The next meeting will be Jan. 20 at the Skrief residence, 927 Riverside Drive.
25 YEARS AGO
Led by the second place finishes of Lyle Ruport, Chad Hell and Ken Scholler, the Bronco wrestling team took fourth place in the Hibbing Invitational.
Brenda Nicholson has accepted a Transfer Student Scholarship to attend Bemidji State University. She is interested in the business administration major at the university.
40 YEARS AGO
A girl was born today at Falls Memorial Hospital to Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Leen.
Miss Ida Fuller, who in 1940 was the first person to get a monthly Social Security check, recently celebrated her 100th birthday in good health at Brattleboro, Vt. Miss Fuller’s first Social Security check was for $22.54. Over the years the monthly amount has increased to $109.20.
James K. Hultman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth W. Hultman of 910 11th St., has been accorded special recognition at Webb Air Force Base, Texas. He was selected Outstanding Airman of the Quarter for his unit in recognition of his exemplary conduct and duty performance.
50 YEARS AGO
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Olson of South International Falls announce the engagement of their daughter, Patricia Joan, to David Henry Couture, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry (Pete) Couture, 811 Seventh St.
PFC. William R. Lyon in spending a 10-day furlough at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bert Lyon, Sawmill Addition. Lyon is in the Medical Corps, stationed at Granite City, Ill.
60 YEARS AGO
A son was born today at Falls Memorial Hospital to Mr. and Mrs. Willard Bruce, Ericsburg; weight, 7 pounds, 8 ounces; name chosen, Allan Lee.
The Ranier Community Building was the scene of a stork shower in honor of Mrs. Robert Ruport.
Mrs. Leo Carlson was honored at a baby shower in the home of Mrs. Ralph Croasdale, 621 Ninth St. Mrs. Henry Erickson was the assistant hostess.
Mr. and Mrs. Nels Lundin Sr., Liberty Addition, announce the engagement of their daughter, Delores Kristine, to Paul W. Holenko, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Holenko, 1004 Eighth St.
70 YEARS AGO
Miss Bernice Hjelde froze her legs Tuesday while walking to the school bus and was confined to the Littlefork Hospital until Saturday.
About 200 persons gathered at the Odd Fellows Hall Saturday evening to stage a homecoming celebration for the Christensen brothers, S/Sgt. Reed and Lyle, F1/c, both home on leave from service with the armed forces.
John Dunham Jr. celebrated his eighth birthday Saturday at a party given at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Dunham, 910 11th St.
Newly-elected officers of the Holler 4-H Club are: Lola De Raad, president; Donald De Raad, vice president; Betty Averill, secretary; and Shirley Ness, treasurer. Reporter is Jonniemae Lee and Lois Johnson and Judy Briggs are librarians.
Pets of the Week
This Band Of Brothers are up for adoption at Borderland Humane Society. “Chai,” “Rex” and Bamboo” were found in the frigid cold temperatures and rescued by an angel. They are 5 months old, neutered and up-to-date on first set of shots, including rabies. Chai has an orange face; Rex has an orange and white face; and Bamboo is black and white.
For more information, visit the website at www.borderlandhumanesociety.org or call 218-324-2313 or 283-9276.
In memory of Stan Long Sr.
Feb. 24, 1945-Jan. 15, 2013.
Hon, I can’t believe it’s already been two years!
The days and nights go by, and I’m still in tears.
I don’t need a month of Sundays,
To say how much I miss you;
‘Cause every day when I close my eyes,
Your smiling face comes through.
The pain of losing you continues;
It hasn’t healed much at all!
Although the days keep passing by,
The tears for you still flow.
We love and miss you so much!
Bev
Sadi Su
and Mika
