Douglas Wood

Douglas Wood, author, compose, speaker, singer and wilderness guide will be at the Ortonville Public Library on Thursday, May 13th at 4 p.m.
Douglas Wood is the creator of 26 books, with over two million copies in print. "Old Turtle" and "Gradad's Prayers of the Earth" are well-known classics along with the "What Grown-Ups Can't Do" series.
In his books and programs, Doug leads young people on a lively journey of discovery, helping them to understand themselves and the antural world around them.
Not only an author-illustrator, Douglas Wood is also an accomplished musician and composer. He performs his compelling songs of nature's beauty and the human experience on 6 and 12 string guitars, banjo, and mandolin.
Douglas Wood performs across the country, reaching audiences of all ages with a superb blend of story-telling and music, highlighted by light-hearted humor and the rare ability to lift the human spirit.
This project was funded in part or in whole throught the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund of the Legacy Amendment, by a vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008, to preserve Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage.

Jill Kalz

Jill Kalz is the author of nearly 50 children's books and works as a children's book editor in Mankato, MN. As a resident of New Ulm, the small German town where she was born and raised, kalz has a fondness for sauerkraut and an unusually high tolerance for polks. She lives with her dog Rum Tum Tuckerbean, a handsome bichon who shows up as a character in some of her books. Her recent books include: "Henry Shortbull Swallows the Sun" , part of the Pfeffernut County series; "The Boy Who Loved Trains" and "Tuckerbean in the Kitchen".

Brian Freeman

Brian Freeman, psychological suspense writer, will be at the Ortonville Public Library on Saturday, April 10, 2010 from 10:30 to 12:00. Brian Freeman is coming to Ortonville as part of the collaboration between Pioneerland Library System, Plum Creek Library System and SAMMIE Library System as part of the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund of the Legacy Amendment, by a vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008, to preserve Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage.
Brian has ben nominated for multiple literary awards, and his Duluth-based novels have been published in more than a dozen languages. He is an engaging and humorous speaker who will share anecdotes about the mystery genre, the creative process, and the ups and downs of the writer's life. Don't miss the fun, inspiring look inside the world of publishing. His latest thriller is "The Burying Place". He has also written "Stripped", "Immoral" "The Agency", "Stalked"; and "In the Dark".

Brent Olson

Brent Olson will be at the Ortonville Public Library on Saturday, December 12 from 1 - 3 p.m. He has a new book out called "Papa: Figuring Out What Matters". Brent is from the Clinton area and has published other books. The Friends of the Ortonville Public Library will be serving refreshments. The event will be held upstairs in the library. If you cannot make it to see Brent in the afternoon, he will be at the Graceville Public Library from 10 - 12 on Saturday.

Angela Serocki Author Visit

Angela Serocki, Browns Valley, MN, will be visiting the Ortonville Public Library on Saturday, November 14, 2009 from 1 - 3 p.m. Stop in to hear her talk about her book "You've Been Conned: Defying Depression by the Grace of God". Angie learned the role of forgiveness and acceptance within relationships through her heavenly father. She slowly pulled herself rom a two-year depression that had threatened to destroy her entire family. Angela hopes to share the trugh behind the battles we face. Books will also be available for purchase. Refreshments will be served.

Brenda Ehrmantraut

The author visit on October 10 with be done with the Ortonville Family Readiness Group. They will provide cookies and juice for all. There will also be a Halloween Party for the kids following the presentation by the author. Many families feel they can handle this on their own, we want to reach out and help in any way possible. If it is having an author who has written books on the subject, or hosting a party for the kids to enjoy, we want to do it. Mark your calendars and come to the Library on October 10th to enjoy a great author, children will do an activity and enjoy the party, and refreshments will be served.

Julie Kramer

Julie was a huge success on Saturday. We only had 17 people here but they were a lively bunch! They had so many questions and Julie had terrific answers. She answered questions about her books and also how she got started and her previous job with WCCO. She also answered questions for those who are writing a book. Questions such as, how, styles, how to get a publisher, etc. A very good presentation. Her books are available at the Ortonville Public Library. Stalking Susan and Missing Mark. Thanks to all who came and supported us.

Browns Valley Author to Visit

Angela Serocki of Browns Valley has written a book called "You've Been Conned: Defying Depression by the Grace of God". The book will be released on November 10, 2009. She will be at the Ortonville Public Library on Saturday, November 14th from 1 - 3 p.m. to discuss her book and take questions. She will also have books for sale. She will be on the KDIO radio station on Wednesday, August 26th at 8:30 a.m. discussing her book. The Friends of the Library will serve refreshments.

Children's author to visit Library

Aberdeen author, Brenda Ehrmantraut, will be at the Ortonville Public Library on Saturday, October 10 from 1 - 3 p.m.
Brenda has written three children's books. The first book is called "I Want One Too!". The book is about a girl who wants everything her older brother has. This book will put you into giggles!
The second and third books were requested by friends of hers to write. The books are written to help children who have a loved one serving in the armed services. The second one is called "Night Catch". In this book, the father enlists the help of the North Star for a nightly game of catch with his son while he is deployed. The third book was just released this spring called "Hope Weavers". In this book the little girl asks her dad, "Why do you have to go, Daddy?" He gives her a caterpillar and assures her that if she is patient, the caterpillar will answer he question. She watches, waits, and finally understand the importance of a soldier's job.
The Friends of the Ortonville Public Library will be providing lunch.

Julie Kramer to visit Library

A winner of this year's Minnesota Book Awards will speak and sign books at the Ortonville Public Library Saturday, September 19 from 1 - 3 p.m. Julie Kramer, author of "Stalking Susan" and "Missing Mark", grew up on a corn and cattle farm on the Minnesota-Iowa state line. Kramer, a career television news producer, used to run WCCO-TV's award-winning I-Team. Now she does freelance network news producing.
In "Missing Mark", a TV reporter answers a want ad reading "Wedding Dress For Sale: Never Worn" and is pulled into a dangerous missing person case. People Magazine recently gave "Missing Mark" a big rave.
In "Stalking Susan", a television reporter discovers a serial killer targeting women named Susan. "Stalking Susan" won the Minnesota Book Award for genre fiction and Best First Mystery at the RT Reviewers Choice Awards. It was a finalist for the Mary Higgins Clark Award and is also a nominee for Best First Novel in two other mystery competitions, the Anthony and the Barry Awards.
Kramer will talk further about her path to publication and writing process, as well as how the news media operations. Copies of both books will be available for purchase at the event.
This program is supported by the Minensota Book Awards through grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services in conjunction with State Library Services, a division of the Minnesota Department of Education, and the Minnesota Library Foundation.
Lunch will be provided by the Friends of the Ortonville Public Library.

Ken Halverson to return with new book

Ken Halverson, author of "If Grandma is in Heaven, Watch Out!" has published his second book "Life With Grandma and Grandpa After Prison". He will be at the Ortonville Public Library on Saturday, May 2 from 1 - 3 p.m. Ken is a very entertaining person to listen to as he tells his story. Come and hear the continuing saga of the Bonrud Gang. Refreshments will be served by the Friends of the Ortonville Public Library.

Barb Dimich Appearance

Barb Dimich, Ely, MN will be appearing at the Ortonville Public Library on Saturday, March 7, 2009 from 10:30 - 12:30. Barb is the author of the Apostle Islands Trilogy - Superior's Jewel, Jewel for the Apostles and Madeline's Island. Barb used to work for the Minneapolis police department as a 911 operator. She has written other books also and has one in the works. Her website is www.barbdimich.com where you can find out information about her and her writing. The Friends of the Library will be serving refreshments. Plan on coming to see this Minnesota author. Books will be available for purchase.

Jeff Falkingham Visit

Jeff will be at the Ortonville Public Library on Saturday, January 24th with his new book, "Sherlock Holmes: In Search of the Source". This is the sequel to "Sherlock Holmes and the County Courthouse Caper".
The new book is set in St. Paul in December 1896, ten years after the original book. Holmes has returned to America to attend the wedding of narrator Peter Smith. There are complications: an overnight fire, a life's work destroyed, and worse, a dead body.
Jeff is a Browns Valley native now living in Eden Prairie. You can check out his website at www.cccaper.com or you can reach Jeff at Jeff@cccaper.com

Ken Halvorson to Return!

Ken Halvorson will be returning to the Ortonville Public Library on Saturday, May 2, 2009 from 1 - 3 p.m. with his new book "Life With Grandpa and Grandma After Prison". Since being in Ortonville, he has had numerous calls for appearances in the Montevideo, Benson and Willmar area. He says thanks to us for getting it all started! Come and here what life was like after his grandparents were released from prison. Refreshments will be served by the Friends of the Library.

Ken Halverson Update

I received an email from Ken Halverson today stating that a strange twist may be in the making with his family history. His granddaughter, Sierra (she was here on Saturday with the blonde hair without glasses) is a Johnson from her mother's side. Her mother is from Benson along with a long family blood line. It's now suspected that Oscar Johnson, the police officer that stopped the gang at Coggins and shot and killed his great uncle, maybe Sierra's great great great uncle or grandpa!
Watch for the second book coming in 2009 called "Life With Grandma and Grandpa".

Michael Larson to visit Ortonville Library

Michael Larson, Wheaton and Janine Ringdahl Schmidt will be at the Ortonville Public Library on Satruday, December 6, 2008 with their book "Nature's Christmas Story". It took him 27 years to write the children's book. Janine is the illustrator. Michael will read his book to the Saturday children's reading program kids and then go upstairs for a book talk with all that are interested in hearing how he started to write the book and how he finally got it published. The program starts at 10:30 a.m. The Friends of the Ortonville Library Foundation will be serving refreshments.

Ken Halverson author visit

Ken Halverson, author from Andover, MN, will be at the Ortonville Library on Saturday, November 15 from 1 - 3 p.m. Ken is the author of the book "If Grandma's in Heaven, Watch out! The 1930's Bonrud Gang". This is a true story of a gang that operated in the Benson and Montevideo area. They were responsible for many robberies, kidnappings, etc. Ken found out about the Gang after his relatives who were the members of the Gang had passed away. This is going to be quite a fascinating talk of his book and relatives who are living in the Montevideo area. The Friends of the Ortonville Public Library will be providing refreshments.

Author Visit

William Kent Kruger, noted Minnesota author who has won many book awards will be coming to Ortonville on Monday, October 20th. He will be at the Community Center at 7 p.m. Krueger writes a mystery series set in the nroth woods of Minnesota. His protagonist is Cork O'Connor, the former sheriff of Tamarack County and a man of mixed heritage--part Irish and park Ojibwe. The seventh book in the series, "Thunder Bay" was released in July of 2007. The latest title in the series, "Red Knife", is due to be released in September of 2008. He will have books available for purchase and signing.

Author Visit

Heidi Haagenson, author of the book "The Tenney Quilt: Celebrating the Women of Minnesota's Tiniest Town", will do a book talk and book signing on Saturday, September 27th from 10:00 - 12:00. Heidi currently lives in Willmar, MN. She will bring the 80-year-old Tenney Quilt with her, and will tell the stories of the women who created that quilt as a fundraiser for a cook stove in the town hall in what is now Minnesota's smallest town (population:6!)

Author Visit

Phil Bolsta, son of Ortonville native Kent Bolsta will be reading selections from his new book, "Sixty Seconds: One Moment Changes Everything" on Saturday, September 13 from 1 - 3 p.m. at the Ortonville Public Library. Following the reading and a qeustion-and-answer session, Phil will be signing copies of his book. To see more on his book, go to the website above.