Valley Reads writing contest

The 2012 Valley Reads: a river of readers celebration is hosting a writing contest for middle school and high school students and adults. The theme is “Being the Other” which is a common theme reflected in this year’s book selections, “Red Earth, White Earth,” by Will Weaver and “Wingshooters,” by Nina Revoyer.

The ArtReach St. Croix Literary Committee is seeking submissions in the form of stories, essays, and poetry in 1,500 or fewer words. The submissions should be emailed to lit@artreachstcroix.org by Friday, March 30.

Winners will be announced on Sunday, April 15, at the Intergenerational Book Club from 1-3 p.m. at Boutwells Landing in Stillwater. The stories, essays, or poems will be printed for local publication and each winner will receive a gift card from Valley Bookseller. More information and complete contest rules can be found at www.valleyreads.org.

Valley Reads events

The celebration’s kick-off event will be a reception for authors Will Weaver and Nina Revoyr with guest host, Kerri Miller of Minnesota Public Radio, on Thursday, April 12, 7-9:30 p.m. at the Stillwater Public Library. Immediately following will be a reception hosted by ArtReach St. Croix’s literary arts committee.

On Friday, April 13, from 7-9 p.m. Nina Revoyr author of “Wingshooters” will be at the River Falls Public Library. From 7:30 to 9 p.m. the world premier of “The Last Farmer” and a discussion with author Will Weaver will be at the Festival Theatre in St. Croix Falls.

Several events will be on Saturday, April 14, starting with author Nina Revoyr at Prescott Public Library from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. From 3:30-5:30 p.m. Will Weaver will be at the Hudson Area Library where the Festival Theatre will present “The Last Farmer.” The Bayport Library will host another Festival Theatre performance of “The Last Farmer” from 7- 9 p.m.

On Sunday, April 15, from 1-3 p.m. at Boutwells Landing in Oak Park Heights, the Inter-generational Book Club will meet and the winners of the writing contest will be announced.

Through April 21 “Bringing Words to Life” an exhibition of book arts and illustration is on view at the ArtReach St. Croix gallery in Stillwater. The exhibition features artwork by Betsy Bowen, Kristi Casey, Rick Chrustowski, Wendy Fernstrum, Michael Hall, Kari Kruempel, Charlotte Schuld and works from the Minnesota Center for Book Arts.

Also,“Tribes: Many Faces, One People” an exhibition of photography by Tom Lindfors is on view at the Stillwater Public Library through April.

For more information about these events and addresses of venues visit http://www.valleyreads.org or call ArtReach at (651) 439-1465. Valley Reads is a program of ArtReach St. Croix and is made possible through community partnerships with: Chapter 2 Books, Bayport Public Library, Boutwells Landing, Hudson Area Joint Library, Hudson School District, The Phipps Center for the Arts, Prescott Public Library, River Falls Public Library, Stillwater Public Library, and The Valley Bookseller, and the community members that serve on the steering committee.

Video contest

We are excited to announce a Hudson Area Library Lakefront short film competition. Show us your thoughts in an original video that visually “tells a story,” in three minutes or less and you just might win the $200 cash prize for the best entry.

Help us celebrate this great resource by using your creativity. What is special about our library? Why do you visit? How does the Library enhance our community?

Whether dramatic or satirical, serious or campy, make a video for us to enjoy and share.

Submissions will not be judged solely on production quality but on how they engage the viewers, so grab your camera and have fun!

Videos will be accepted from Sunday, April 1, through midnight Monday, May 7. The contest is open to Wisconsin/Minnesota residents of all ages who have a valid Hudson Area Joint Library card. Videos completed by individuals under 18 years old will need the signature of a parent or guardian on the submitted registration form.

Qualifying videos will be posted on the Library’s YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/halvideocontest where site visitors can log in and give the entrants a “thumbs up” or “thumbs down.” Community members will have a chance to vote for the Audience Award Winner from May 8-17.

A selection of the best videos submitted along with the awards for Best Picture, Best Picture Runner-up, and Audience Award Winner will be presented at a special screening at the Phipps Center for the Arts on Friday, May 20 at 7 p.m. in the Black Box Theater.

Contest guidelines and the registration forms are available at the circulation desk or may be downloaded from the library website: www.hudsonpubliclibrary.org

Friends’ book sale

The Friends of the Hudson Library are planning a book sale for Wednesday, April 18, through Saturday, April 21, during regular library hours. Now would be a good time to donate gently read books that you no longer want. Please do not bring old magazines, textbooks or Readers Digest Condensed books.

If you have a lot of books to donate and would like some help getting them upstairs to the Friends’ donation area, please ask someone at the circulation desk to assist you. A dolly and carts are available for your use. Do not put donations in the book drops because we won’t know if they are donations or were dropped in by accident. If you have books to donate and are unable to get them to the library, please call Pat at (715) 386-2055.

On-going monthly programs and meetings

--Preteen Book Club Meeting: Thursday, Changed to the last Thursday, March 29, 5-6 p.m., “Belle: A Retelling of Beauty and the Beast,” by Cameron Dokey.

--Teen Book Club Meeting: Changed to the last Thursday, March 29, 4-5 p.m., “The Power of Six,” by Pittacus Lore.

--Library Board Meeting, Monday, April 9, 6:30 p.m. It will be the Friends Annual Meeting.

--Friends of the Library Meeting, Thursday, April 12, 6:30 p.m.

--Bookmarks Book Club, Wednesday, April 18, 10:30 a.m., “State of Wonder,” by Ann Pachett.

--Mystery Book Club, Wednesday, April 18, 1 & 6:30 p.m., “The Third Rail,” by Michael Harvey.

Preschool story Times:

Rhyme Time Baby Story Time is for ages new born to talking. Babies and their caregivers are invited to join us for 20 minutes of stories, puppets, poems, finger plays, and action activities.

Programs are held every Wednesday at 10:15 a.m.

Walkey-Talkey Story Time is for children talking to age 3. Children and their caregivers are invited to join us for 25 minutes of stories, songs, poems, puppets, and activities. Programs are held every Monday and Wednesday at 11:15 a.m.

Wiggles and Giggles Story Time is for children ages 3-5. Books, puppets, songs, poems, flannel board stories, crafts, and action activities help to ready your child for a future of reading. Programs are held on Tuesday nights from 7-7:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 10:15-10:45 a.m. and 1-1:30 p.m.

More detailed information about programs, events and meetings can be found on the library website: http://www.hudsonpubliclibrary.org

Tags: lifestyle, books