New Ulm Public Library

For Nancy and me, the best greeting after driving an hour and a half is a warm smile and a hearty handshake, which is exactly what Katy Kudela, the Children's Librarian at the New Ulm Public Library gave us. Her enthusiasm lifted our spirits and made us feel really welcome.

Katy gave me a short introduction that called for the audience to give me a 

warm welcome, which they did by applauding. 

The audience was a mixed group, ranging in age from 2 years or younger to young adult, middle age, and old-timers, like myself. To appeal to this range of people, I tried to mix nostalgia, humor, sentiment, with stories about animals for the little ones. It's a tough challenge, but I have to admit I love the audience with the mixed ages.

Katy laid out the rugs and that helped focus the little ones. With the rest of the audience, I felt that I was preachin' to the choir again. It was clear to me by the head-nods and the grins that these folks had farming in their background and their blood.

You can see by the above photos that after the program the children and their parents were open, warm, and willing to tell their stories as they visited with Nancy and me and Katy while I signed the books they purchased.

Nancy and I had a particularly great time at the New Ulm Public Library, and we want to thank everyone who attended, especially those who took the time to visit and to buy books. A special thanks to Katy Kudela, the Children's Librarian, who arranged our visit and who clearly deserves a great deal of credit for hosting a "Family Night" program that successfully encourages families to attend. 

Hey, Katy, you have a good thing going here!

Photographs by Nancy A. Fredrickson

Dakota County Library's First Annual Author Fair

Over 40 authors and several representatives from publishing and advertising attended the first annual event at the Galaxie Library in Apple Valley on Saturday, January 21, 2012, where the public was invited to meet local authors, listen to keynote speaker and mystery author David Housewright, and attend some workshops on publishing.

Nancy and I were delighted to be part of the event and felt honored to be in the company of so many fine authors. We displayed and sold books at our table and found time to walk around to visit a number of other authors, several of whom have become our friends over the years.

Meeting Brian Leehan, author of Pale Horse at Plum Creek, presented a special opportunity for us because we had purchased his book about the First Minnesota's valiant efforts at the Battle of Gettysburg back in 2006 from a bookstore at Gettysburg when we visited the Battlefield on a guided tour. Nancy brought our copy with us and asked him to autograph it.

Brian Leehan signing and displaying our copy of his book that we purchased at Gettysburg in 2006.

Whether or not you are a reader of Civil War books, Brian's book is one to enjoy. Brian's detailed narrative of the First Minnesota's heroic involvement in the Battle at Gettysburg gives a unique and complete account that makes great reading.

Nancy and I wish to thank Youth Services Coordinator Jennifer Verbrugge and Adult Services Coordinator Lindsey Dyer for inviting us to participate in the author fair and for doing a great job in organizing and hosting the event, which was enjoyed by participants and visitors, alike. 

I leave you with two more photos:

 Nancy (below) and I (above) at our display.