Thursday, February 23, 2012

Is There Evidence for Ancient World Trade in Minnesota?


Charles Bruns, who is associated with the Ancient Artifact Preservation Society of Marquette, Michigan, will present some surprising theories about a possible world trade culture in northern Minnesota thousands of years ago. He draws on theories according to "diffusionist archaeology," which says that early America was visited by explorers and traders from many cultures around the world—before recorded history. Mr. Bruns will address such topics as: ancient copper mining in northern Minnesota 4,000 years ago; prehistoric trade on the St. Louis River; ancient Egyptians sailing on the Great Lakes; and the Northland's connection with the Ancient World through trade. A short slide show will be followed by a Q&A. Tuesday, February 28, 6:30 p.m., in the large meeting room.

Create Sculptural Totems at Cloquet Public Library

The Cloquet Public Library invites children and their caretakers to an afterschool, interactive and fun Sculptural Totem adventure at 3:30 p.m., Tues., March 6, 2012. The program is free of charge and open to the public.

Creativity Tank, run by a cooperative of regional artists, will inspire and lead children in the creation of their own totems made of Model-Magic clay. Native American totems provided a record of their lives. At this afterschool event, children will be able to tell their own stories using their hands, clay and creativity.

The program will be customized to fit children ages pre-school through elementary school depending on the audience.

Admission to the event is free thanks to sponsorship by the Arrowhead Library System and funding by money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

For more information on other Arrowhead Legacy Events, please see the ALS events calendar www.arrowhead.lib.mn.us/whats-new/. Find us on facebook at “Arrowhead Legacy Events” or on Twitter @ArrowheadLegacy. Questions can be directed to Miriam Kero, Arrowhead Library System, miriamk@arrowhead.lib.mn.us.

Friday, February 17, 2012

Sisterhood of the Hennepin Chalice

The sinking of the Titanic (100 years ago this April) and the collapse of the I-35 bridge over the Mississippi River in 2007 have no connection, but both events are key to the plot of Duluth writer Jack Salmela's new novel,

Sisterhood of the Hennepin Chalice. The book is a complex mystery that touches on matters of faith, ancient and modern religion, and secret societies. Mr. Salmela will give a presentation on the background and events of the novel at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 25. His slide show will bring to life many of the Duluth and Minneapolis connections that figure in the story, such as clues found in a famous stained glass window at the American Swedish Institute, historic Nicollet Island, and Enger Tower. He will be accompanied by a professional actor who portrays real-life survivor of the Titanic, Oscar Olsson, a Swedish immigrant who worked aboard ships on the Great Lakes, who figures in the mystery. This is certain to be an intriguing and even controversial program. Refreshments, including hot apple cider, will be provided by the Sons of Norway-Heimsyn Lodge.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

HOT READS, COLD NIGHTS

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Join us in our winter reading theme of "Hot Reads for Cold Nights"—curl up with a good book when the temperature drops below freezing. Staff recommendations for winter nights' reading are on display in the New Media section, and free bookmarks are available. We want to hear what book you would recommend, too! Just send us the title and author of the book you are recommending, along with a brief sentence describing why you think others will like the book too. Drop off your submission at the front desk, or e-mail us at cloquetlibrary(at)gmail.com. The first 10 people to send us a book recommendation will receive a free refrigerator magnet with the "Hot Reads for Cold Nights" theme. Your recommendations will be added here on our blog.

Here is a list of titles our staff and library friends recommend:

Library's Top Pic:
Sisterhood of the Hennepin Chalice
By Jack Salmela
Duluth and Minneapolis locations figure in this Northland mystery/thriller involving the Kensington Rune Stone, a Norwegian Lutheran Church, and a society dedicated to protecting the secret history of early Norse exploration of North America. With a light, readable style, Duluth author Salmela spins an intriguing mystery that touches on matters of faith, history, and relationships.

Mary:
Sleepwalker
by Karen Robards
Fast-paced romantic suspense.

Norwegian Wood
by Haruki Murakami.
A college student's romantic coming-of-age, a journey to that distant place of a young man's first, hopeless, and heroic love. Movie tie-in.

Mark:
The Dangerous Islands
by Seamas Cain
A young Irish-American's experience amidst the political turmoil of Northern Ireland from 1965 to 1998—one of the most challenging, intricate works of fiction published in the past year. Cloquet author.

Lis:
The Seven Daughters of Eve
by Bryan Sykes
This book sheds light on our first ancestors and is a must for anyone interested in their origins.

Rosemary:
Breakdown
Sarah Paretsky
V.I. Warshawski is still the smart-mouthed P.I., though she's mellowed with age. A must read!

Karen:
"V" is for Vengeance
by Sue Grafton
Sue Grafton's alphabet mysteries are always an entertaining read!

Brenda:
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
by Jamie Ford
A spectacular story about innocent love intertwined with American history – it will open your eyes about the treatment of Japanese Americans during WWII.

Tiffany:
Heat Wave
By Richard Castle
A quirky mystery novel based on the TV show Castle that will make you laugh out loud.

Mary H.:
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
by Sherman Alexie
Told with wry humor and awareness, this semi-autobiographical novel tells of the resiliency of the human spirit as a 14-year-old boy leaves the reservation.

RECOMMENDATIONS BY OUR FRIENDS
Cynthia Johnson, President, Sons of Norway-Heimsyn Lodge
Out Stealing Horses
by Per Petterson
A stunning book—one of the few that everyone in my book club liked.

Pat Ebel, Friends of the Library
A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron
This is the remarkable story of one endearing dog's search for his purpose over the course of several lives, touching on the universal quest for an answer to life's most basic question: "Why are we here?"

Barbara Birkeland, Friends of the Library, Library Board member
Cutting for Stone
by Abraham Verghese
Whether you are interested in medicine, relationships (especially that of twins), a good story, fine writing, or an aura of mystery, this book will keep you entranced.

Cathy Rikkola, Library Board member
One Thousand White Women: The Journals of May Dodd
by Jim Fergus
Tells the story--in diary and letter form--of a young woman, who in 1875, travels to the American West to marry Little Wolf, the chief of the Cheyenne nation.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

A Comic Romance for Valentine's Day


Our International Film Series has a British theme for February and March, with a controversial adaptation of Jane Austen's Mansfield Park on Valentine's Day, Tuesday, February 14, at 6:30 p.m. This 1999 film directed by Patricia Rozema has divided viewers into two camps: Austen purists expressed displeasure, while everyone else seemed to love it. While a surprisingly close adaptation of Austen's novel, the main character, Fanny, has been enhanced to reflect Austen's own rather feisty character as found in her own letters and other writings. In addition, accurate historical events that remained murky in Austen's original novel are brought to light: namely, the fact that the financial underpinnings for the estate where Fanny is sent to live come for Sir Henry Crawford's business dealings in Antigua--and hence from British involvement in the slave trade. This is a wise, witty, alternately funny and heartbreaking adaptation of the book that Austen said was her own favorite among her novels. Starring Frances O'Connor and Jonny Lee Miller.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Magic School Bus Program stops at Cloquet Public Library


The Cloquet Public Library invites children and their caretakers to an interactive and fun bridge-building adventure at 3:30 p.m., Wed., Feb. 15, 2012. The program is free of charge and open to the public.

The 321 Art Studio, run by artist Nancy Lucas, will inspire and lead children in the creation and testing of their own bridges with the “Under Construction” program. The event includes a fun reading of Magic School Bus Under Construction, a visit with Ms. Frizzle, and the construction and strength-testing of bridges made of gumdrops and toothpicks under the guidance of the artists.

The program will be customized to fit children ages pre-school through elementary school depending on the audience. Participants will enjoy creating bridges, testing their strength, demolishing them, and eating the construction materials.

Admission to the event is free thanks to sponsorship by the Arrowhead Library System and funding by money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

For more information on other Arrowhead Legacy Events, please see the ALS events calendar www.arrowhead.lib.mn.us/whats-new/. Find us on facebook at “Arrowhead Legacy Events” or on Twitter @ArrowheadLegacy. Questions can be directed to Miriam Kero, Arrowhead Library System, miriamk@arrowhead.lib.mn.us.