SAINT PAUL, MN – The Minnesota State Arts Board has awarded two Operating Support grants, totaling $108,626, to the Commonweal Theatre Company and Lanesboro Arts. Both arts organizations will receive funding through the Operating Support grant program. Commonweal Theatre Company was awarded $58,833, while Lanesboro Arts received $49,793. Operating Support invests in high … [Read more...]
Ellingson takes her positive attitude on the road
After living a full and meaningful life with someone, becoming that person’s caregiver is a role many of us have never considered, much less planned on. Taking life day by day and having a positive attitude can help with the adjustment as Lilah Ellingson experienced in recent years. Lilah Jane (Hildestad) Ellingson was born to Carl and Amelia Hildestad on March 17, 1935. … [Read more...]
Chatfield Center for the Arts receives Mardag Foundation Grant Award for Building Capacity in Operational Infrastructure
The Saint Paul based Mardag Foundation selected Chatfield Center for the Arts (CCA) as one of 14 nonprofit organizations to receive an award in its 2019 first round grant category of Building the capacity of arts and humanities organizations to benefit their communities. Chatfield Center for the Arts was awarded $30,000 over two years to be used for Building Capacity in … [Read more...]
Artists reveal Houston County-inspired work at capstone event
What do an architectural designer, a poet, and a chef all have in common? Well, for starters, they each spent a week in Houston County, Minn., last year, each exploring their own concept of “home.” Since the conclusion of last year’s residency program, the collection of works created by our 2018 citizen-artists-in-residence (CAIRs) has been distilled into poignant poetry, … [Read more...]
Camping skills and Girl Scout sisters make for excellent memories
LANESBORO, MN – Girl Scouts from Troop 47985 of Lanesboro were among the many thousands of Girl Scouts across the United States to find adventure in their local state park during the Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend July 13-14. Continuing a 107-year tradition of outdoor exploration and leadership, Girl Scouts Love State Parks is a national movement aiming to get all Girl … [Read more...]
Fountain to host party of the century and a half
The residents of the small town of Fountain, Minn., are preparing for a big party as the sesquicentennial celebration will take place July 26-28, 2019. “Fountain’s early history is very limited due to a fire that swept through the town in 1872,” states Fountain resident and history buff Paul Little. He says there is a lack of credible sources for history, explaining, … [Read more...]
Harmony Sings (and quite well!)
As a part of Harmony’s weeklong 4th of July celebration, the third annual Harmony Sings event was held on Sunday, June 30 at the Old Legion Hall in Harmony, with approximately 70 people on hand. The event is organized by the Harmony Chamber of Commerce, and is affiliated with a statewide competition known as Minnesota Sings. One of those on hand was Chuck Spavin, representing … [Read more...]
Totally Rad “Surfin’ USA” Variety Show in Lanesboro July 12
“Surfin’ USA” is the theme of the next “Over the Back Fence” Community Variety Show presented by Lanesboro Arts on Friday, July 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the historic St. Mane Theatre in downtown Lanesboro. Songs like “Surfer Girl,” “Surf City” and “Surfin’ Safari” will each be part of a tubular evening that also includes jokes, stories, and sing-alongs. July’s show features … [Read more...]
Jillian Rae to engage with Lanesboro community week of July 8 and perform full band concert at St. Mane Theatre
Lanesboro Arts presents an evening with the Jillian Rae Band at the historic St. Mane Theatre in downtown Lanesboro on Saturday, July 13 at 7:30 p.m. Returning to the St. Mane after a memorable 2016 performance. Jillian Rae is a multi-talented singer-songwriter and vocalist that has cultivated a reputation as the go-to violin accompanist for dozens of roots, rock, and Americana … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage
I am a Wisconsin native who was transplanted here when I married. Accustomed to the sound of seagulls flying over my hometown, the scent of the fresh air wafting off of Lake Superior, wild blueberries and wintergreen popping up in the north woods, I expected Minnesota to be just about the same. To my surprise, my husband brought me to live in the only county in Minnesota … [Read more...]