Book Sale

Our semi-annual book sale is coming up September 27 through October 2nd during regular library hours. If you have books you would like to donate to our sale, you may bring them to the library. DO NOT bring us any damaged, yellowed, water stained, smelly books. We also cannot use Readers Digest Condensed Books. Please make sure a staff member okays your contributions before you leave.

Bus Tour #5

Tour #5 is a Naturalist Narrated Tour. follow the route Ozawindib & Schoolcraft did in 1832 when they recorded the Headwaters of the Mississippi River. Wildlife interpretation of Bald Eagles, Common Loons, Indian & Logging History. Two hour boat cruise on the Chester Charles II.

Bus Tour #4

Gibbs Museum of Pioneer and Dakotah Life. We are looking at two different special events they host. The first one is on October 31st and is called Old-Time Halloween. In the mid-1800's, especially Irish immigrants, brought their Halloween traditions to America. Carve a turnip to put in your window to ward off evil spirts; Trick-or-Treat at Jane Gibbs' house; make popcorn balls in the Red Barn and enjoy a cup of cider!
The other event is calle "A Gibbs' Pioneer Christmas" This is held on December 4 and 5th. A two-hour program. Join them in an old-fashioned mid-1800's Minnesota Christmas. Step back in time when you visit the summer kitchen and see how pioneer women prepared special foods for Christmas; tour the original Gibbs' home and the Victorian parlor where costumed interpreters reveal how Christmas practices changed over time. Enjoy Christmas carols and activities, hot chocolate and Christmas treasts. Visit our gift shop for old-time stocking stuffers.

Bus Tour #3

This tour is of the Oliver H. Kelley Farm near Elk River, MN. You will step onto a working 1860's farm. Pick heirloom vegtables from the garden, visit the farmhands and animals at the barn, or churn butter and see what's cooking in the farmhouse. Costumed guides work the fields with oxen and horses. At different times throughout the season, you'll see plowing with oxen, horse-powered threshing, haymaking and other harvest activites. The garden and fields are filled with many of the same plants the kelley farm grew over 130 years ago. IN the house, try your hand at domestic crafts like making straw hats and soap.

Tour #2 Hjemkomst Center

On November 13 the event being held is called Pangea - Cultivate our Cultures. This is an indoor celebration of ethnic, racial and cultural diversity in the Red River Valley with exhibits, performances and foods to sample. There will be 10 food vendors from various cultures. Visitors can buy food tickets at 50 cents per ticket. The food is very affordable and there will be meal offerings, not just samplings. there will be Danish, Sri Lankan, Mexican, and other food options. There is also a church tour. For the children they have a Passport Activity. There will be signs for the children to go to different areas and see and learn something of that country or do an activity. When they complete it, they will get their "Passport" stamped. They even take the child's picture to put in the Passport. There is also a new exhibit called "150 Years of Immigration to Clay County". You can also visit this exhibit. the hours are from 10-4 p.m. in Moorhead, MN.

Bus Tour #1 Oktoberfest

We would go on a Saturday, either October 2 or 9th. The event starts at noon. 2 stages of continuous entertainment (variety of music), German food court (other food also available at the restaurant in the Holiday Inn); German vendors. Everything is held indoors.

Upcoming Bus Tour

We are looking at doing another bus tour for Big Stone County residents. Following the last tour, I was given a number of ideas of places to go. I narrowed it down to five locations, which you get to vote on. The one receiving the most votes will be followed up on as far as costs, transportation, meals, etc. See other posts for a description of the five: 1) Okotberfest in New Ulm; 2) Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead; 3) Olvier H. Kelley Farm in Elk River; 4) Gibbs Museum in St. Paul; 5) Itasca State Park. Votes need to be in no later than September 1st. For more information contact the Ortonville Library at 320-839-2494 and the Graceville Library at 320-748-7332.

Children's Saturday Reading Program

There will NOT be a Saturday Children's reading program this fall. Due to budget constraints, we cannot afford to offer this program.