May Day Storytime

During the two storytimes children were excited about making their own May Basket. They received stickers and colors and could decorate as they chose. Everyone had a great time!

New Children's Librarian

Hello, I'm Ingvild Herfindahl and I'm very excited to be the new children's librarian! I moved to Kasson with my family almost two years ago and have been coming to storytime almost every week since then with my two children. I love to read anything and everything for myself and for my kids. If you have children, bring them to storytime on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings, otherwise, just stop by to say "hi" or chat about books. Look forward to meeting all of you!

Additional Children Donate Books To Honor Children's Librarian

Please join us in honoring Mary Rose Mataitis' service to our community. During the month of April we are accepting donations for the children's collection at the library. Your donation will be specifically marked as a donation in honor of Mary Rose.

Mary Rose will be honored with a Open House on Thursday, May 1 3-5pm. All are welcome. You may bring your donations to the open house.

Mary Rose with children.
Here are some ideas:
1. Perhaps your child has a favorite book or video that is not in the collection.
2. Perhaps you or your child have a favorite author and want to donate a new book by that
author to expand the library's collection.
3. Chose a book from Mary Rose's list of favorite books that are not yet in the library's collection.

Questions? Contact Jill Foley for more information: 507-634-3437 or fiddlejill@yahoo.com

110 Best Books...A Perfect Library

While looking on Tasha Saecker from Green Lake Library blog I found her entry from April 8th. I hope it gets everyone talking as there were some titles included that I felt were wrong and I found some of my favorites were missing. How about you??

The Telegraph does it again with a list of the 110 best books: The perfect library to get everyone talking. There's something here for everyone on a list with sections devoted to classics, poetry, literary fiction, romantic fiction, children's books, history and more.

Arbor Day

A man has at least made a start on discovering the meaning of human life when he plants a shade tree under which he knows full well he will never sit. Elton Trublood (1900-1994)

Friday, April 25th is National Arbor Day an observance that encourages tree planting and care. Founded by J. Sterling Morton in Nebraska in 1872, National Arbor Day is celebrated each year on the last Friday in April. Visit the Arbor Day website:

http://www.arborday.org/index.cfm

Family Destination...Our Library

You mean it....we're really going to the library?

You and your children can be this excited about going to our library. We're talking hopping up-and-down excited!!

In fact, once you all see how much fun stuff there is to do and borrow you may all have a tough time getting out of the building.

Our library...it's a perfect family destination.

There's something for everyone.

Children's Librarian Retires

Friends of the Library are hosting an open house for our Children's Librarian Mary Rose Mataitis retirement on Thursday, May 1st from 3-5 pm. All are welcome to come and wish Mary Rose good luck.

Mary Rose has worked for the library for about eight years. She has helped to expand the children storytimes and children's area. She has been very instrumental in updating our computers and helping the patrons with their computing questions. Young moms have come to rely on her expertise and experience with children.


Mary Rose will be greatly missed by the library patrons, children and library staff.

Adopt-A-Veteran Honor Flight Fundraiser

There is another flight scheduled to leave this fall and donation are still needed so other WWII veterans can get the chance to visit Washington DC.

Locally in Mantorville this Saturday, April 26th there will be an Adopt-A-Veteran benefit supper from 5-8 pm at the Mantorville VFW #4555. The menu will be Top the Potato, cole slaw, bread and bars. Contact Rose Harris at 635-5789 for any questions.

My brother Terry is part of the Soldier's Field Veterans Memorial committee and they are currently raising funds for the second Honor Flight scheduled for October. My father Warren, is 83 years old and in the Merchant Marines, will be on that flight with Terry as his guardian this fall.

If you would like to contribute to this very worthwhile project you may send checks payable to: Honor Flight WWII and mailed to Soldier's Field Veterans Memorial, City Hall, 201 4th St SE Room 150, Rochester, MN 55904. If you have any questions please call Harry Kerr 273-0411, Wayne Stillman 289-8981, Terry Throndson 282-2519.

Honor Flight

"We can't all be heroes. Some of us have to stand on the curb and clap as they go by." ---- Will Rogers

My husband and I and over 200 people attended the return of the WWII Honor Flight attendees at 10 pm on Saturday night April 19th. All who attended this event and the return of the veterans were greatly moved. The Veterans of World War Two are currently dying at the rate of approximately 1,200 per day.

As the veterans (men and women) exited the plane, they were greeted by four service people who just returned from Iraq or Afghanistan, given gift from local mechants and reunited with their families. We also realized that the thank you is 65 years late so as a special honor the area VFW's, American Legions, and police force's formed a line to personally thank the veterans. Everyone clapped and cheered for the returning heros of WWII.

The veterans were greatly moved and surprised to find that many people and news stations there to welcome them home. I personally thanked many and shook their hands. There was one Pearl Harbor survivors, Iwo Jima survivor, and even one man still fit into his uniform. One man moved me to tears when I noticed that he was carring a flag and a picture of a solider. I asked him about it and he said it was his friend who died in WWII and he wanted him in spirit to experience the Honor Flight. WOW!! Now that is friendship at its best.

Donations of $59,000 was rasied so that 80 surrounding area WWII veterans were able to go to Washington DC and view their WWII memorial and other memorials. Also on this flight were 30 guardians (people who helped with the veterans), and doctors and nurses. To learn more about this wonderful organization visit:http://www.honorflight.org/

There is another flight leaving this fall and they still need donation so that more veteran can go to Washington DC. I see in the Kasson DCI that this Saturday, April 26th there will be an Adopt-A-Veteran benefit supper from 5-8 pm at the Mantorville VFW #4555. The menu will be Top the Potato, cole slaw, bread and bars. Contact Rose Harris at 635-5789.

"Before You Go"
Of all of the wars of the 20th century, World War Two truly threatened our very existence as a nation and as a culturally diverse, free society. Samuel L. Bierstock "Dr. Sam" has written "Before You Go" as a profoundly heartfelt "Thank You" and tribute to the men and women who fought this worst and greatest of wars on our behalf, and who truly saved our lives and our way of life. His goal is to get this song to every living veteran of World War Two while we still have them, and to their families and survivors. Please help us by forwarding this link to every World War Two veteran (or their families and descendants) that you know. We have not thanked them enough.
http://www.managedmusic.com/Music/PlayBeforeYouGo.php WWII& korean war version

http://www.managedmusic.com/Music/PlayBeforeYouGoVN.php Vietnam verison.

Honor Flight April 19, 2008

80 Veterans and their guardians preparing to leave Rochester and go to Washington D.C. via US Airways.

Wayne Stillman and Pearl Harbor survivor

Crowd awaiting the arrival of the veterans

Current members of the armed forces

Honor Line waiting to greet veterans.

Veterans returning to their loved ones.

Zumbro Bend Rendezvouers

Four members of the Zumbro Bend Rendezvouers stopped by the library this morning to celebrate Minnesota's Sesquicentennial Banner being displayed at the library. Ron Ballstadt and his daughter Kaela, Lynette Dahms, and Vicki Peterson are representing typical people of that era.

This would be a typical family during the 1740-1840 rendezvous era. There were usually no white women or children and the women you would see during this era would be Indian and their offspring from the Rendezvouers. The women are wearing material that could be used as trade to the native americans. The ribbon dresses are made of a paisley print that was popular with the British. Ron is wearing a typical outfit, three button britches, voyager ribbon shirt pattern, black possible bag, and knee length moccasin.

Vicki Peterson is dressed as Little Ace an American Indian and the material of her outfit would be wool. She has authentic beads from the Lewis and Clark expedition and she received them as an anniversary gift. She is very active member of the Zumbro Bend Rendezvouer and has done her exhibits and she also throw tomahawks and her husband dresses as a merchant and shoot black powder guns. She also has on the back of her outfit trading silver and had a hair piece especially made for her.

The 2008 Zumbro Bend Rendezvous will be held at Riverside Park in Mantorville, Minnesota. Thursday September 25th and Friday, September 26 are educational days where school children come and watch the exhibits. Exhibits will be open to the public Saturday, September 27 and Sunday, September 28th, admission price is $5.00 and preschool is free.

This is a Dodge County Historical Society event.

KM Area Veterans and Minnesota 150 Year Banner

Area veterans [Wayne Aarsvold (Navy), Dave Klocke (Air Force), Larry Edgar (Air Force) and Gary Thompson (Air Force)] traveled to Rochester Public Library Thursday evening to pick up Minnesota Sesquicentennial Banner. They would have perferred to ride their Harley's but the rain changed their plans so they travelled via Dodge County Sheriff vehicle. I followed in another car to witness and record this historic transfer from Rochester to Kasson. On hand for the exchange was Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede and John Hunziker Rochester Public Library Communication Manager.

When we arrived back Library Board Chair Lori Hopkins and Friends Vice-Chair John Talcott were on hand to help hang the banner in the library. The library was very honored that these four veterans volunteered to help with the banner and we would like to thank them for their generosity.

The banner will hang in the library until Saturday, April 19th. The library also partnered with Dodge County Historical Society and there will be about 5-6 area Rendezvouers this morining to share this event.

The banner also comes with a leather-bound journal that you may write your thoughts about Minnesota and the 150 year of statehood. I took time this morning to read some of the entries, very interesting. Stop down to the library and view this banner and journal which will eventually find a home at the Minnesota Historical Society.

Pat Coy and Birds

The library's Books On Wheels outreach program made it bi-weekly visit to the seniors at Prairie Meadows. Pat Coy volunteered to come to the senior center this month and talk about birds and bird feeders. She brought different types of feeders and bird food that is best for different types of birds.

She asked the residents to talk about their favorite birds. Resident Barb Rath shared her bird book that also has the bird sounds. We all enjoyed hearing the bird calls and some mentioned that now they know what birds are making the sounds they hear outside their windows or when they go for walks.

The seniors really appreciated Pat and her talking about her love of birds and her ongoing battle of wills with the squirrels and rabbits.

Below are pictures of the seniors that shared their experience with birds.

Honoring Retirement of Children's Librarian

Please join us in honoring Mary Rose Mataitis' service to our community. During the month of April we are accepting donations for the children's collection at the library. Your donation will be specifically marked as a donation in honor of Mary Rose.

Here are some ideas:
1. Perhaps your child has a favorite book or video that is not in the collection.

2. Perhaps you or your child have a favorite author and want to donate a new book by that author to expand the library's collection.

3. Chose a book from Mary Rose's list of favorite books that are not yet in the library's collection.

Questions? Contact Jill Foley for more information: 507-634-3437 or fiddlejill@yahoo.com

Two mom's and their children have already donated their favorite books. Please join us.

National Library Workers Day

Today is National Library Workers Day honoring librray workers around the nation. The Friends of the Library choose a member of the library to honor each year and this year Library Director Bonnie Adams was chosen. Library Board member and City Councilman Chuck Coleman congratulates Bonnie.
I would like to thank all of the people who came to honor me and the library staff. It was a great honor to be chosen for National Library Workers Day receipent.

There was an open house honoring all of the library staff members sponsored by the Friends of the Library. The punch was cold, and the treats especially tasty.

National Library Week and National Library Workers Day

Join the circle of knowledge @ your library: celebrate National Library Week April 13-19 and National Library Workers Day, April 15th at the Kasson Public Library. It’s National Library Week and National Library Workers Day, a time to celebrate the contributions of libraries, librarians and library workers in schools, campuses and communities nationwide - and the perfect time to discover how you can join the circle of knowledge @ your library.

The Kasson Public Library is celebrating National Library Week by two major events. The first event an Open House 3:00-5:00 on Tuesday, April 15 honors Library Director Bonnie Adams as National Library Workers Day local receipent chosen by the Friends of the Kasson Library. NLWD is also a day when library staff can educate library users about the knowledge, skills and qualifications of library employees, the kinds of work they do, the necessary services they provide.

The second will be Minnesota's Sesqicentennial banner displayed on Friday, April 18 at the library. The Dodge County Historical Society and the Kasson Public Library have partnered to honor this 150 year milestone in Minnesota's history. Look for the flyers and posters for more information.

“Everyday, libraries in big cities and small towns, colleges and universities, in schools and in businesses help transform their communities,” says Library Director Bonnie Adams “At our library, people of all backgrounds can come together for community meetings, lectures and programs, to do research with the assistance of a trained professional, to get a job or to find homework help

First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. Library use is up nationwide among all types of library users, continuing a decade-long trend, and it’s easy to see why. Libraries are places where everyone can go to discover the world. People of all ages visit the library for entertainment, self-help or to find their place in the community. With free resources like books, magazines, DVDs and computer and wifi access, libraries help people find new jobs, do better in school, tackle projects and learn new ways to improve their health.

What makes the library unique is access to trained professionals – librarians – to help people find and interpret the information they need to make a difference in their lives. Our libraries also help keep us connected, providing a space for people of all ages, classes and races to come together, while keeping us connected to events and people around the world. It’s where people can keep up with world events or research where to volunteer locally.

For more information, visit the Kasson Public Library at 16 1st Avenue, Kasson, Minnesota 55944; call 507.634.7615 or see the library’s Web site at http://www.kassonpubliclibrary.blogspot.com/ Libraries hours are Mondays & Wednesdays 10-7; Tuesdays & Thursdays 10-6; Fridays 10-5; Saturdays 10-12(closed after Memorial Day for the summer).

What can you discover? National Library Week is the perfect time to find out. Join your family, friends and community. Join the circle of knowledge @ your library.

Minnesota Sesquicentennial Banner

As the state’s sesquicentennial draws closer, two banners are making their way across Minnesota. These banners will make stops at libraries in every county in Minnesota before returning to St. Paul on May 11, 2008, for the 150th anniversary of statehood.

Each library is requested to find a way to bring the banner from one library to another. The surrounding libraries have been very creative in their delivery system trying to make it unique to their community. Some southeastern libraries have used horseback, wagon train, and Rochester Public Library is using Mayo One to bring the banner to their library.

Library Director Bonnie Adams decided to highlight area veterans, as her husband, brothers and daughter have served in the military, deliver the banner to the library. She spoke with Navy Vietnam Veteran Wayne Aarsvold and he agreed to contact some area veterans to ride their motorcycles to the Rochester Public Library Thursday evening to collect the banner.

Members of the Kasson City Council, Library Board and Library Director Adams will be on hand at the library to receive the banner from the veterans Thursdsay evening. Dodge County Historical Society will be present on Friday the 18th to help honor the 150 year statehood of Minnesota. The Minnesota Sesquicentennial banner will be displayed at Kasson Public Library all day Friday, April 18th, 10-5 and Saturday, April 19th 10-11 am.

Each banner is accompanied by a leather-bound journal in which visitors can write thoughts about Minnesota and the sesquicentennial. People are invited to sign the journal at any Kasson Public Library on Friday, April 18th.

In addition to creating interest in the sesquicentennial, the banners’ journey is intended to highlight the importance of public libraries in Minnesotans’ daily lives. “Libraries were picked to be the official host of this special sesquicentennial banner and journal because libraries are essential to our civic and economic life as a state and in our local communities,” said Sesquicentennial Commission Executive Director Jane Leonard.

The banners and the journal will be presented to Gov. Tim Pawlenty at Statehood Weekend in May, and eventually will find a home with the Minnesota Historical Society.

Upcoming Library Events

Make plans to attend some of the exciting events listed below.

April 13-19 National Library Week

Tuesday, April 15th Open House 3:00 5:00

Honoring Library Director Bonnie Adams as National Library Worker for Kasson Public Library

Friday, April 18 Sesquicentennial Banner will be at the library 10:00-5:00

Thursday, May 1st Open House 3:00-5:00 honoring the retirement of Children's Librarian Mary Rose Mataitis

Ocean Sailing with Kent Keller

April Hot Reads Program, sponsored by the Friends of the Kasson Library, featured Mantorville resident Kent Keller and his 1500 mile open ocean voyage in his sailboat Passport from New Zealand to Fiji.




Mr. Keller had a great audience of sailors, and people who would like sail. In his presentation he talked about how he came to own a sailboat and then an ocean sailing boat, his preparation for the trip, and upgrading to category 1 requirements (which was a blessing in disguise), and finally his trip to Fiji. He had a dvd made of his solo voyage and he paused it occasionally to point out facts or on how tired he was at the end of the 1500 mile trip with the storms, and waves. He said he loved the solitude and never tired of the sun rises and sun sets. He was glad to arrive and was amazed but prepared for all of the paperwork required of sailor coming into port.

He has since sold Passport and purchased another sailboat to use on Lake Pepin at Lake City.