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.

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.

Documenting an Early Cloquet Photographer

Few people know that photography was once one of the few professions women were able to enter, in addition to teaching and nursing. Cloquet was home to one such entrepreneurial woman in the early 1900s named Octavie Morneau, who owned an elegantly furnished studio on Arch Street. Morneau was born into a French-Canadian family in Dayton, Minnesota, and was also thought to have Native American ancestry. In Cloquet, she documented the local lumber and paper industries, the Indian reservation, community festivities in Pinehurst Park, sports teams, and also took general studio photos. Her photographs have become an important record of the town shortly before the 1918 fire.

Former Carlton County Historical Society director Marlene Wisuri will speak on the life and work of Octavie Morneau on Saturday, February 4, at 10:30 a.m. in the large meeting room. Ms. Wisuri's talk , which will include a slide presentation, expands on her article on Morneau that appeared in the Fall 2011 issue of Minnesota History.

Photo credit(s): Carlton County Historical Society

"Thanks for the Memories" Ensemble Concert

A string quartet from the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra will perform a 45-minute concert in the large meeting room on Saturday, January 28, at 11:15 a.m. The musical theme is "Thanks for the Memories." Ensemble musicians will take listeners on a musical tour of American music decade by decade, with a focus on the 20th century. Featured in the program are Scott Joplin's ragtime music and the Beatles. The concert is free; funding has been provided by Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Biutiful Opens Second Year in Our International Film Series

Jarvier Bardem received an Academy Award nomination as Best Actor for his role in Biutiful, an award many felt he truly deserved, though Colin Firth was the popular favorite and winner for The King's Speech. Directed by Cannes Film Festival award-winning director Alejandro González Iñárritu, Biutiful is a grittily realistic drama. Bardem plays a street criminal who struggles to reconcile fatherhood, love, spirituality, and guilt amidst the dangerous underworld of Barcelona. The film is rated "R" for language and adult subject matter. In Spanish with English subtitles. Tuesday evening, January 10, 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Meet the Authors

The library will be ringing in the New Year by celebrating our local authors on Saturday, January 7, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Authors will have their books on display and available for purchase. They will be pleased to tell you about their work and answer any questions you may have. Bring your own copies to be signed. Please join us for coffee at this exciting meet-and-greet the authors event.

Writers attending include the following: Jim Northrup (Anishinaabe Syndicated: A View from the Rez, 2011); Marlene Wisuri (To Be Free: Understanding and Eliminating Racism, with Thomas Peacock, 2010, Scott House Souvenirs, with Jim Sheetz, 2007); Daniel Bradford (Akabish's First Christmas, illustrated by Saydee Lanes), children's, 2011; Larry Weber (Webwood: Seasons of Life in the North Woods, 2010), Fascinating Fungi of the North Woods, 2006,); Clara Tefft (For Thine Is the Power, a memoir, 2011); and Katie Mettner (Sugar's Dance, novel, 2011). All published authors are welcome to attend – but please let us know in advance.

Finnish Genealogy Group Starts Off the New Year

The Finnish Genealogy Group will hold its first meeting of 2012 on Saturday, January 14, at 10 a.m. Whether you are a beginner wondering how to get a start on finding your Finnish ancestors, or a seasoned researcher, you are welcome. Please come with ideas for future meetings and plan to participate! Coffee and freshly baked pulla are always served.