Minnesota Historical Society shares the story of the Christmas Pyramid

Via a November 30 e-newsletter from the Minnesota Historical Society:

Christmas pyramid today and decorated in the Johnson home

New artifact offers a glimpse into holiday decor and folk art of the 1930s 

In the 1930s, Virgil and Helen Johnson purchased a handmade Christmas tree for their family from a Swedish carpenter’s union in Minneapolis. Over the years, the family continued to decorate the tree during over during the holidays, and nearly 90 years later, the artifact is now part of the Minnesota Historical Society’s collections.

This unique style of tree, called a Christmas pyramid, has its roots in German folk tradition, and some historians considered it a precursor to the Christmas trees we know today. The pyramid has several shelves where the Johnsons could place holiday ornaments and figurines.

It’s topped by a wheel of rotating fan blades, and when candles are lit on the pyramid, the resulting heat causes the fan and shelves to spin. For preservation reasons, MNHS curators won’t light candles on our pyramid, but here’s a video of another Christmas pyramid in action:

“The tree and its decorations are great complements to other holiday decor, folk art, and union-made material in our collections,” said Sondra Reierson, 3D objects curator and interim head of collections management.

The tree’s owner also has a unique Minnesota story. Virgil Johnson was a noted hockey player in his day, playing for local minor league teams like the Minneapolis Millers and St. Paul Saints as well as on the 1938 Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks. Johnson became a member of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 1974.

In addition to the tree, MNHS acquired Johnson's collection of 100+ family photographs and slides chronicling three generations of the family in Minnesota, dating back to his grandparents’ arrival from Sweden in 1881. 

Digitization of collections items for online access is made possible by the Legacy Amendment's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the vote of Minnesotans on Nov. 4, 2008.

New for Holiday Shoppers: Meet Minneapolis Visitor Center Partners with Minnesota Makers

Via a November 29 announcement from Meet Minneapolis:

On December 6, shop and enjoy free refreshments at the December ‘First Thursdays’ event from 9 to 11 a.m.

The Meet Minneapolis Visitor Center on Nicollet and 5th Street is pleased to announce a new retail partnership with Minnesota Makers. Highlighting Minnesota artists, new merchandise and gifts will be available beginning Monday, December 3. To provide a warm welcome to its new retailer and encourage holiday shopping, the Meet Minneapolis Visitor Center’s “First Thursdays” event on Dec. 6 will include free Cardigan Donuts and coffee for customers.

“The Meet Minneapolis Visitor Center, along with our building partner CenterPoint Energy, has always had a vision of activating this prominent downtown corner to engage visitors and locals with more of our great city,” said Meet Minneapolis President and CEO Melvin Tennant. “We are excited that our new retail partner, Minnesota Makers, will help us highlight locally made products and skilled artisans year-round.”

Minnesota Makers features the work of more than 100 Minnesota artists from all over the state, including Minneapolis-centric items like prints, clothing and wood products. Guests shopping at the Meet Minneapolis Visitor Center also will find illustrations by Adam Turman, screen prints by Brian Giehl of Dogfish Media and cutting boards and games by Al Walker of Savanna Woods available for purchase.

“We are thrilled to be working with Meet Minneapolis and to be selected as the retail partner at the Meet Minneapolis Visitor Center on Nicollet,” said co-owners of Minnesota Makers, Christa Kalk and Jay Kalk. “We are passionate about connecting customers to the artists and their stories – and we’ll now be able to reach a wider audience with this new location.”

First Thursdays are held each month to encourage residents, employees of downtown businesses and visitors to learn more about the free services available at the Meet Minneapolis Visitor Center and discover local Minnesota Makers, as well as highlight partners, community organizations and events. For more information and daily hours, visit www.minneapolis.org/visitor-information/

ABOUT MEET MINNEAPOLIS VISITOR CENTER

As part of Meet Minneapolis, Convention and Visitor Association, the Meet Minneapolis Visitor Center is the official visitor center for Minneapolis, located in the CenterPoint Energy building on Nicollet and 5^th Street. Staff is available to answer questions, share visitor maps and resources about things to do in Minneapolis and the surrounding area. The Visitor Information Center in the Minneapolis Convention Center also is available to provide similar information to visitors and convention attendees.

Meet Minneapolis is a private, not-for-profit, member-based association. It actively promotes and sells the Minneapolis area as a destination for conventions and meetings, works to maximize the visitor experience and markets the city as a desirable tourist destination to maximize the economic benefit to the greater Minneapolis area. Meet Minneapolis is accredited by the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) of Destinations International.

ABOUT MINNESOTA MAKERS

Minnesota Makers, with locations in downtown Minneapolis and Robbinsdale, features the work of over 100 Minnesota artists, from near the Canadian border to south of Rochester and New Ulm and everywhere between. It strives to create an experience where the customer will learn more about the featured artists, their work, and the ever-present talent in the state of Minnesota. Shopping at Minnesota Makers is like shopping with more than 100 local small businesses in one. Support local, support artists, shop Minnesota Makers.

Minneapolis Park & Rec Board Invites you to the December 1 Minneapolis International Festival

Join community members from across the city to learn about the many amazing cultures that make Minneapolis such a wonderful place to live.

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Saturday, December 1, 1-5 pm

Central Gym, 3400 Fourth Avenue S

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The Minneapolis International Festival will be celebrating the different cultures in the City of Minneapolis and surrounding communities with music, dance, art, cultural learning booths, exhibits demonstrations, food AND MORE. Learn about all the many amazing cultures that make Minneapolis such a wonderful place to live.

Some of the groups featured that day will include: Mehandi Henna, Rince na Chroi Irish Dancers, Russian Museum of Art, Kuyayki Peru, Keefer Court Bakery & Café, The Greek Dancers of Minnesota and Green Card Voices.

The Minneapolis International Festival is FREE and open to the public. The event will take place on Saturday, December 1 from 1:00 to 5:00 pm at Central Gym in Minneapolis, 3400 Fourth Avenue S. This is an indoor event. Questions? Call 612-230-6400 or visit the Event on Facebook.

The Minneapolis International Festival is FREE and open to the public, and presented by the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board.

SteppingStone Theatre Announces their production of A Charlie Brown Christmas, November 30-December 22

Bring your family together for a performance of this beloved classic, featuring live jazz pianist Sean Turner, at the SteppingStone Theatre. This charming performance will delight everyone on your Christmas list! 

What is A Charlie Brown Christmas about, again? 
All of Charlie Brown’s friends are brimming with holiday cheer, but he’s having trouble getting in the spirit. Can directing a Christmas play help him kick the Yuletide Blues? Discover the true meaning of Christmas and the place where you belong with Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the whole Peanuts gang!

Who is the ideal audience? 
This hour-long performance will be a marvelous experience for Peanuts lovers of all ages! 

When are your Accessible Performances?
December 2: 3:00 PM Pay-As-You’re Able
December 7 : 7:00 PM Audio Described
December 9: 3:00 PM ASL Interpreted

NEW with this show - choose your seats when you purchase Tickets.

Entrance Fees to All 75 Minnesota State Parks and Recreation Areas will be Waived on Friday, November 23

Via a November 21 e-newsletter from the Office of Governor Mark Dayton:

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Governor Mark Dayton today announced “Free Park Friday” in Minnesota, highlighting that entrance fees to all Minnesota state parks and recreation areas will be waived on Friday, November 23, 2018. Governor Dayton encourages all Minnesotans to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends on the day after Thanksgiving.

 

“I wish everyone in Minnesota a very happy Thanksgiving, and recommend visiting one of Minnesota's beautiful state parks — for free — on Friday,” said Governor Mark Dayton. “Like sharing a meal, going for a walk can be a great way to spend quality time with family and friends.”

 

Research shows that spending time outdoors benefits children and adults, including improving mood, enhancing creative thinking and problem solving, promoting a conservation ethic, and improving physical fitness. On Thanksgiving Day, the average American consumes around 4,500 calories. A brisk walk can burn about 300 calories in one hour.

 

“Holidays can be stressful, but Minnesota state parks and recreation areas are open year-round to provide places to unwind and relax, surrounded by natural beauty,” said Erika Rivers, director of Minnesota State Parks and Trails. “We hope that visitors who go to a state park for the first time on Free Park Friday will have fun, feel refreshed, and want to come back.”

 

Although most state park offices and visitor centers will be unstaffed or minimally staffed on Free Park Friday, a variety of on-site and online resources available for visitors:

 

• Find directions to the parks on the individual park Web pages at www.mndnr.gov.

• Look for the self-orientation signs near the park entrance for suggestions on what to see and do during your visit.

• Additional hike recommendations can be found online at the Free Park Friday page. 

• Pick up a hard-copy map at the park office or, better yet, download one of the new GeoPDF maps that show you where you are based on your mobile device’s built-in GPS receiver. Internet access is needed to install the app and map files, but once they are installed, they do not need Internet access or cell phone service to function.

 

A few Minnesota state parks will offer special programs. Examples include:

 

• Feeling Full Hike – 10-11:30 a.m. at Sibley State Park in New London. Join a naturalist on a hike to Mt. Tom, with some stops along the way to learn about our feathered friend: the turkey. Meet at the Interpretive Center.

• Turkey Hike – 1-2 p.m. at Whitewater State Park near Winona. Learn the fascinating history of the wild turkey in the Whitewater Valley! Meet at the visitor center for a brief introduction, then take a hike to look for signs of wild turkeys.

• Bison Tales – 1-2 p.m. at Blue Mounds State Park in Luverne. Join a naturalist to learn more about efforts to conserve bison throughout the state. Touch real pieces of bison, practice your bison communication skills, and make a bison storybook of your very own to take home. Meet at the picnic shelter in the cart-in campsite area. 

 

For additional resources on things to do and places to stay across the state, visit exploreminnesota.com, and share your sights this season on social media using #OnlyinMN.

 

Permalink: http://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/index.jsp?id=1055-359051

The Boom Island-Nicollet Island Bridge is open!

The freshly repaired Boom Island-Nicollet Island Bridge

Via a November 21 announcement from Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

Historic bridge reopens after six-month repair project

The Boom Island-Nicollet Island Bridge is open for trail users after a six-month repair project!

Minor followup work, including site restoration and seeding, concrete abutment surface repair, and paint touch-ups, will be performed next spring. A Grand Opening Celebration is scheduled next year as well; details will be determined in the spring. 

The trail connection between Boom Island Park and Nicollet Island was originally built in 1901 as a railroad bridge. In the 1970s, the rail yard it served was cleared and the bridge was given to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB), which converted it to a pedestrian and bicycle bridge in the 1980s.

In late 2013, the bridge was closed to emergency and maintenance vehicles after significant deterioration was discovered during an inspection. Emergency repairs were completed in July 2015 and permanent repairs were performed May-November 2018.

The MPRB appreciates everyone's patience while the bridge was closed.

Project page

MPRB Seeks Residents Interested in Serving on a Community Advisory Committee

Via a November 20 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

Three advisory committees are now accepting applications

Applications for 2019 appointments are due Tuesday, December 4

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The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) Board of Commissioners is seeking applications for appointments to five ongoing community advisory committees:

• Saint Anthony Falls Heritage Board – One Appointment
• Minneapolis Tree Advisory Commission – Four Appointments
• Park Police Advisory Council – Six Appointments

Service commitment may vary based upon needs, expectations and policy goals. However, most advisory committee members can expect to approximately 10-15 hours of work per month. Most terms are two years and all board and commission members are not subject to term limits.

Some Boards/Commissions have a need for specialized skills, but most people will find a Board or Commission that is a great fit for their knowledge base. Public members of Board and Commissions are people who may not have regular, ongoing experience in a specific topic area, but have a general interest in a Board or Commission’s work area. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about an area of interest and contribute a perspective that is fresh and unique to the service area.

Applications must be received no later than 4 p.m., Tuesday, December 4, 2018.  Following submission, applicants will receive an email confirming receipt of the application and describing the general process for appointment. Appointments for open positions will be made at the January 2, 2019 business meeting of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. For a full description of each committee and to complete the application please visit: https://www.minneapolisparks.org/abca.

Applicants with questions about the appointments process should email their questions to board.appointments@minneapolisparks.org or contact Radious Guess at 612-230-6419.

Please click here to sign up to be notified of all advisory committee opportunities.

Twin Cities Live segment on the Thank You for Shopping Exhibit at Mill City Museum

The next time you visit the Mill City Museum, check out the latest photo exhibit, based on the book Thank You for Shopping: The Golden Age of Minnesota Department Stores by Kristal Leebrick. The exhibit of framed photographs and a slideshow, including many unpublished photos, is located in the museum's central Mill Commons and is free and open to the public during regular museum hours thru February 24, 2019. The book is available in the museum gift shop.

Here's a recent Twin Cities Live segment shot at the Museum, featuring Leebrick:

Event Parkway Closures Nov 22 and 24

Note the following temporary road closures for November 22 and 24 race events:

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Thursday, November 22

Turkey Day 5K

7:30am-11:30am

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West River Parkway - N 4th Ave to 11th Ave S

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Saturday, November 24

Moustache Run

8:30am-1:30pm

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Main Street - 6th Ave SE to Plymouth Ave

West River Parkway - Plymouth Ave to E 38th St

Stone Arch Bridge

Downtown Living: Phoenix on the River

Phoenix on the River prime floor plan! Corner location flooded with morning light & panoramic views. Floor plan features 2 bedrooms and den, 2 bathrooms, open layout, private balcony, loads of custom storage & walls of glass. Perfect eye-level view of the recently renovated Pillsbury Flour sign & illuminated water tank atop the Pillsbury A-Mill. Walking distance to U of M campus, groceries, movies, great restaurants & bars, nature & best of riverfront festivals.

2 bed | 2 bath |2 parking | 2,100 sf | $1,150,000

Listing by Cynthia Froid Group

Click for more details, photos...

Key North, Beloved Northeast Minneapolis Boutique, is “Retiring the Brand”

Article and photos by Merle Minda

Key North, Beloved Northeast Minneapolis Boutique, is “Retiring the Brand”

Markdowns begin Monday, November 19; 13-year run comes to an end

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Beloved Northeast Minneapolis women’s clothing boutique Key North will close its location at 515 1st Avenue NE as of January 31, 2019. Markdowns on all new fall and winter merchandise will begin at 30 percent off starting Monday, November 19. Further reductions to come. Key North has been in the forefront of carrying top quality and unique fashion design for its devoted customers; merchandise carefully selected in markets from Milan to Paris, New York City and Los Angeles.

Owners and partners of Key North are, left: Katie Greene and, right, Gwen Engelbert

Owners and partners Katie Greene and Gwen Engelbert are sad to see their ‘bricks and mortar’ location come to an end, but will be pursuing other innovative plans to carry their unique perspectives and dedication forward.

Partner Katie Greene noted, “The current retail climate conflicts with our mission of working directly with clients who value quality and original design. Retail now depends so heavily on social media and e-commerce marketing/discounting – that is not what we are about.” She continued, “We are deeply grateful for the relationships and loyalty we have enjoyed with our customers over the years; stay tuned for our next chapter!" 

Throughout its time, Key North maintained an ethical model of quality goods made by well-paid people. “No sweatshops for our goods,” stated partner Gwen Engelbert.

Front window of Key North

The imminent closing of Key North comes as a double whammy to the Northeast Business District, following the recently announced closing of Bibelot in the same neighborhood, leaving the retail scene here fairly desolate.

Some quotes from their treasured customers:

• “Fought the good fight! Such a lovely thing to have their store; their attention to detail and quality goods was from their heart.” Clareyse N.

• “My go-to place for brands I can’t find elsewhere. Everyone asks me where I shop.” Mary T.

• “Makes me sad.” Heather D.

• “Love the store and their product choices.” Merle M.

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About Merle Minda

Journalist and free-lance writer Merle Minda writes about travel, business, people profiles and other subjects for a number of national and regional publications, including Delta SKY, Mpls/St. Paul Magazine, Twin Cities Business, Star Tribune, Twin Cities Statement, Minnesota Monthly, and now Mill City Times. She can be reached at mminda@earthlink.net or TravelOverEasy.com on the web.

What Happens When Rivers Merge?

One of the articles in the most recent e-newsletter from Friends of the Mississippi River (Special Places: Confluences where great rivers merge) includes aerial shots of the Mississippi River merging with other rivers. It's interesting to see how different the water quality can be between two rivers. We witnessed this first hand during a pontoon ride with forest rangers a few years ago, but it's even more stunning to see from above:

It's an informative article - please click on the link to read about it and view additional pictures.

Thankfulness

Article by Claudia Kittock 

I have always loved Thanksgiving. When I was a little girl growing up on the farm it meant days of cooking and baking, scrubbing our home from top to bottom, and then being inundated with relatives. It was chaotic, fragrant, and filled with love and chaos, not to mention the leftovers!

Our Thanksgivings have changed, as is true for all of us. They are still filled with love and chaos, but maybe a bit quieter and that is good, too. What remains the same is that it is a wonderful moment to pause and remember everything in life that we need to acknowledge with hearts filled with thankfulness.

Almost 4 years ago, a group of friends decided to start a charity, Friends of the Mill District. We wanted to be an active part of creating a community for everyone, and found out that the blessings we have received by doing this work is beyond anything any of us could have imagined. I want to pause in my life for a few moments and tell you about just a few of those blessings, and remember how incredibly thankful we all are.

The Guthrie Theater Education department helped us begin a group called Mill City Players. We brought together a group of potential actors from YouthLink and from Cedar Riverside. After two successful productions with the Guthrie, we all decided that we needed to grow in a different way. We were so very blessed by the relationship with the Guthrie and so grateful that they continue to provide our young people with tickets to Guthrie plays. They also donate a rehearsal space for the Mill City Singers every week. How lucky are we to have the Guthrie as our partner?

In the late spring, we hired James A. Williams as our Artistic Director. He brought with him Patricia Brown and Ahanti Young. Each of these artists brings incredible artistry to our actors and are highly skilled teachers. What isn’t included in their job descriptions is how much each has come to care about the young people. Every actor comes into a safe space for every rehearsal and learns how to be a stronger and better person. They are fed every day and leave with hugs and with messages about their power.

The Mill City Singers, founded in 2015, has grown from 29 singers to 268. If you are a ‘friend’ of the Mill District, we want you to be a singer. 2018 was an incredible season with performances at the Bold Hope in the North Super Bowl event, at Orchestra Hall, at the Ordway, and at the Loring Park Music Festival, just to name a few. We are a unique group of friends. The singing, led by the incredible JD Steele and Fred Steele, is why we come together, but the sense of community and friendship helps us stay.

The Metropolitan Regional Arts Council (MRAC) continues to support us with grants to help us do our work.  It is no small thing to start each year with seed money from MRAC. We wouldn’t be the Friends without MRAC.

Our community supports us in surprising ways, most of it without asking. In the past year we have been contacted by Minnesota Orchestra, the Ordway, the Guthrie, the Mill City Museum, ESPN, McKinney Roe, the Hennepin County Library, MacPhail Center for Music, Bobby and Steve’s, Izzy’s, Trader Joe’s, Enso Taiko, YouthLink, 10,000 Things, the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), and the Minnesota Twins. Each group wanted to help us and did. If you had told me this would happen when we began the Friends, I would have been sure you were wrong.

Our individual donors are incredible. We are only 3 years old, and when the Friends began, I was told by more experienced people that no one would take a chance on us for at least the first 4 years. Well, our group of donors hadn’t heard that. Every year our mission has grown and our donors have continued to support us with more and more funding to help us do more.

I know that my heart has grown 3 sizes since I began this work. I am honored by the experiences I continue to have. I am reminded every day that people are incredibly good. I am reminded that people want to help, often just needing someone to show them where they are needed.

Thank you, donors. Thank you, artistic staff - JD Steele, Fred Steele, James A. Williams, Patricia Brown, and Ahanti Young. Thank you, actors. You make me anxious to get up every day and so very grateful at the end of the day that I got to spend time with each of you. Thank you, community. We are stronger together. As Paul Wellstone so famously said, “We all do better when we all do better.”

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About Claudia Kittock

Claudia is a resident of the Mill District. In addition to writing for Mill City Times, she is a founding Board Member of Friends of the Mill District. Claudia is the author of Health Through Chaos, mentors young adults at YouthLink, and has served on the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association (DMNA).

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Contact: claudia@millcitymedia.org

Witnessing Waves, Featuring Local Artist Alison Price, on MN Original, November 17

Witnessing Waves on MNOriginal

Alison Price's Witnessing Waves series is featured on MN Original, Saturday, November 19, 6pm on TPT2 - PBS.  Price shares, "The Mississippi River Gorge and her wealth of heritage trees have always intrigued me. This series pays respect to the gentle witnesses of migration and settlement along our mighty river, these magnificent, steadfast, and welcoming trees. The trees acknowledge the contribution of all of our respective backgrounds and ancestries. Our families have all traveled to this place, the Twin Cities. It is our collective heritage that makes our community a culturally rich and diverse place to call home." 

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The Witnessing Waves series is currently at two Minneapolis locations:

Tres Leches Art Gallery in the Northrup King Building, 1500 Jackson Street NE

Vinaigrette, 5006 Xerxes Avenue S

North Mississippi Regional Park sample programming for November, December and January

Winter Break Day Camps for Kids

Register kids ages 6-12 for naturalist-led day camps on no school days throughout the year! Explore outdoors, get messy and learn by doing. Spend days off in nature's classroom while having fun playing in the park at North Mississippi.

WILD WINTER SURVIVAL W-F  December 26-28  8am-4pm

Develop your wilderness skills by learning to trek through snow on snowshoes, craft survival shelters, track animal signs and more. We'll explore outdoors, play games and make art. Do you have what it takes to survive in the wild winter world? Registration Fee $90.  Activity #87904

FROZEN PLANET  W-F  December 2-4  8am-4pm

Are you curious about the wonders of the cosmos? Then, embark on an adventure through the cold depths of outer space...with the help of your imagination. Learn about amazing astronomical phenomena, complete missions with your crew and conduct experiments for extreme environments. Sign up to be the ultimate space explorer! Registration Fee $90.  Activity #93993

Day camp is based out of Kroening Interpretive Center. Every day please bring a lunch, snack and water bottle. Dress for the weather and a mess.

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Special Events

• Nature’s Black Friday Fun - Nov 23  11am-3pm   Ditch the mall crawl and opt outside this year! We’ll have naturalist programming and self-guided nature exploration activities. Hike the park, build a fort, go on a scavenger hunt, play games and more! Activities will be based out of Kroening Interpretive Center. FREE for All Ages. Activity #87899
• Winter Solstice Celebration -  Friday Dec 21  5:30-7:30pm  Rejoice the coming of longer days with an evening of celestial fun. Make a luminary and enjoy the warm glow of a bonfire while sipping hot spiced cider! Learn why the amount of light changes throughout the year and which winter constellations to look for in the sky. Plus grab a winter phenology bingo card to play throughout the season. Get bingo and bring it back to the Nature Center for a prize!  All Ages. $5 – Kids under 13 free.  Activity #87900

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Nature Nuts Play Group Wednesdays

Come with your little one to play and have fun in nature with other children and parents/guardians. During this four week series each day will be different, but will have nature themes involving plants, animals, and seasons. Enjoy the fall together! For kids up to age 5 with an adult. Registration Fee $16 (for 4 weeks of classes)

Nov 28 - Dec 19  10:45 - 11:45am   Activity #87896

 Jan 16 - Feb 6  10:45 - 11:45am   Activity #93925

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Nature Programs

Bird Watching

Join us for a morning of bird watching! We’ll hike through prairie, woodland and along the river while keeping our eyes and ears open for our feathered friends. First Saturday Each Month. Binoculars provided.

• Winter Birds - Dec 1   9-10:30am   Discover the winter bird cast of characters. Activity #87877
• Winter Woodpeckers - Jan 5    4-5:30pm   Go on the lookout for the bright flashes of woodpeckers on the bare trees. Ages 8 & up. Activity #93949

Outdoor Exploration & Nature Art

• Ginger-bird Houses - Dec 8 1:30-3pm   Invite birds into your backyard this winter by crafting an edible snack house for them. These feeders are a lovely decoration and a great food source for our bird friends that brave the cold.  $10 all supplies included. Kids under 13 free.  Activity #87891
• Fur, Tracks and Scat - Dec 29  1-2:30pm
• New Year Resolutions Hike - Jan 5  1-2:30pm   Do you have a New Year’s Resolution to be more active, to go outside more, or try new things? Take the first step on a naturalist-led snowshoe hike along our prairie, woodland, and river trails and start the year off right!  Activity #93959
• Sleep, Flee, Freeze  Dec 16  1:30-3pm    
• Winter Arts & Animals - Jan 13  1-3pm   

Family Funday Sundays

• Turkey Time -  Nov 25  1:30-3pm  Get ready for goofy gobbles as we discover more about turkeys! Play games and have fun investigating feathers, tail fans, snoods and feet to learn more about these big birds.  Activity#87880

Public programs are FREE for all ages

Unless otherwise noted. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a registered adult

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Free Snowshoeing each Weekend

Beginning December 22*, get some wonderful exercise while recreating in nature by checking out a pair of snowshoes to explore the park! Pre-registration is encouraged, but not required.

Saturdays 11am-1pm  /  Sundays 1-3pm

*Depending on snow conditions: at least 6 inches of snow on the ground is needed

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More Ways to Enjoy the Park

Stop by the front desk to check out binoculars, nature activity packs and nature guides.
Talk with a naturalist to meet and learn about our education animals.
Celebrate your birthday with us!

Like North Mississippi on Facebook to stay in the loop about what’s happening in our park! Learn more about North Mississippi Regional Park at our website. 

Winter Building Hours:

9am - 4pm Tues & Thurs

10am - 4pm Wed, Fri & Sat

12pm - 4pm Sunday

Closed Monday

Contact Info: Kroening Interpretive Center at North Mississippi Regional Park, 4900 Mississippi Court; Phone: 612-370-4844, Email: NorthMississippi@minneapolisparks.org 

Join MCBA for New Editions, Nov 30 & Dec 1

Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA) invites the community to attend New Editions, a two-day event that celebrates and fosters the collection of book art. Over 130 new original works—from chapbooks and zines, to broadsides, artist’s books, and fine press editions—will be available for viewing and purchase. The curated offerings will include something for everyone, from the most seasoned collector to the newest enthusiast, with items at a wide variety of prices.

New Editions begins on Friday, November 30 from 6-9pm with a special preview night. Be the first to explore and purchase a curated collection of bookish works from Minnesota and around the country. At 7pm, learn more about the importance of collecting book art from a panel of artists, featuring Harriet Bart, Regula Russelle, and Gaylord Schanilec, and moderated by Karen Wirth. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, craft wine and beer, and creative company with other book and art lovers. Tickets are $50 and available for purchase on MCBA’s website or in The Shop at MCBA. Each ticket holder receives a commemorative limited edition broadside printed by Laura Brown during the event.

New Editions continues with a public sale on Saturday, December 1 from 10am-4pm. Attendees will be able to find special gifts for those on their shopping list, or treat themselves to a unique work of art. Saturday’s event is free and open to the public, and seasonal refreshments will be provided.

Minnesota Center for Book Arts celebrates the book as a vibrant contemporary art form that takes many shapes. From the traditional crafts of papermaking, letterpress printing and hand bookbinding to experimental artmaking and self-publishing techniques, MCBA supports the limitless creative evolution of book arts through book arts workshops and programming for adults, youth, families, K-12 students and teachers. MCBA is located in the Open Book building in downtown Minneapolis, alongside partner organizations The Loft Literary Center and Milkweed Editions.

Artist panel bios:

Harriet Bart creates evocative content through the narrative power of objects, the theater of installation, and the intimacy of artist’s books. Her installations, objects, and books have been exhibited extensively throughout the United States and Germany. She has completed more than a dozen public art commissions in the United States, Japan, and Israel. She is a guest lecturer, curator, and founding member of the Traffic Zone Center for Visual Arts in Minneapolis, MN. Bart has been the recipient of fellowships from Yaddo, MacDowell Colony, Virginia Center for Creative Arts, Bush Foundation, McKnight Foundation, NEA Arts Midwest, and the Minnesota State Arts Board. Since 2000 she has published twelve fine-press artist’s books and won three Minnesota Book Awards. Her work is included in many museum, university, and private collections, including: Metropolitan Museum of Art, National Gallery of Art, Library of Congress, Walker Art Center, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Weisman Art Museum, Jewish Museum, National Museum of Women in the Arts, and Sackner Archive of Visual and Concrete Poetry. She is a current McKnight Visual Arts Fellow. In 2020 The Weisman Art Museum will present a retrospective of Harriet Bart’s work.

Regula Russelle is a Minnesota Book Artist award winner for her body of work and contributions to the book arts community. Her work has been supported by the Minnesota State Arts Board, the Jerome Foundation, and the McKnight Foundation. Regula’s work can be found in public collections, on kitchen bulletin boards, and in the occasional handbag. These days, she enjoys packing large questions into tiny books and zines — work that is affordable, and sometimes free. In addition, she is also an enthusiastic collector of books and zines, most of these happily purchased for under $75.

Gaylord Schanilec, noted for his color wood engravings, established his own press, Midnight Paper Sales, in 1980. Since then he has published more than 25 books under his imprint, as well as accepted numerous commissions including works for The Gregynog Press in Wales and the Grolier Club of New York. He has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Carl Hertzog award for excellence in book design, and the Gregynog prize. He is an Honorary Member of the Double Crown Club, and an active member of the Typophiles, the Ampersand Club, and the Fine Press Book Association. His work is represented in most major book arts collections in the United States and in the United Kingdom, and the archive of his working materials is held at the University of Minnesota.

Karen Wirth’s work explores the relationships between words, objects, and space through artist’s books, sculpture, installation, public art, and critical writing. Her work has been exhibited extensively in collections in the United States, including the Smithsonian Institution and the Walker Art Center, and in Africa and Europe through the US State Department. Wirth co-designed four Minneapolis light rail transit stations and she served as the artist administrator for conceptual design. She co-designed and co-fabricated the Gail See Staircase at Open Book in Minneapolis. Wirth is a founding board member of the College Book Art Association and served on the board of Minnesota Center for Book Arts.

Wirth’s artist’s books are in public collections such as the Museum of Modern Art Library, the Getty Center, and Yale University. Her writing has been included in many journals and magazines, including the Journal of Artists’ Books and Places magazine. Wirth has been awarded Bush, McKnight, Jerome, and National Endowment for the Arts fellowships and an American Council on Education Leadership Fellowship. She is the Interim President and professor at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. She received an MFA in sculpture from the University of Minnesota and a BFA in art education from the University of Wisconsin. Certified to teach K–12 art, she has taught at every level from preschool to graduate school.

MPRB is Looking For Winter Sports Coaches

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is seeking enthusiastic volunteer coaches for youth hockey, basketball and wrestling.

- Practices start in December

- Athletes are ages 6-18 

- Teams practice 1-2 times per week

- Games are scheduled for a weeknight and/or Saturdays (January-February or March)

- MPRB will provide orientation for all new coaches

- Can't coach this winter? We'll need coaches for Baseball, Softball, T-ball, and Track & Field next spring/summer

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Click here to receive more information or to express interest in MPRB volunteer opportunities.  Contact (612) 230-6493 or recvolunteers@minneapolisparks.org.

Hennepin County Now Accepting Applications for Citizen Advisory Board Volunteers

The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners is recruiting volunteers for 28 citizen advisory board positions through its annual open appointment process.

Each fall, the board appoints residents to volunteer service positions on advisory boards, commissions, councils and special task forces. Appointees advise commissioners and help set policy on a variety of topics.

Current Openings:

• Adult Mental Health Advisory Council – 11 vacancies
• County Extension Committee (University of Minnesota Extension) – four vacancies
• Community Action Partnership of Hennepin County – two vacancies (open to local elected officials)
• Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Board – three vacancies
• Human Resources Board – three vacancies
• Library Board – three vacancies
• Mental Commitment Attorney Panel Advisory Board – one vacancy
• Three Rivers Park District Board of Commissioners – one vacancy

Application process:

Apply online at hennepin.us/advisoryboards.

Hennepin County will accept applications through December 31, 2018.

The board will conduct interviews beginning in January 2019.

A Gingerbread Wonderland Awaits You at Norway House, Nov 17-Jan 6

Gingerbread houses, called pepperkake in Norway, are a quintessential feature of the Norwegian holiday season.

The Norway House’s 4th annual Holiday tradition - Gingerbread Wonderland - happens November 17, 2018 - January 6, 2019. Look for familiar buildings and landmarks from the Twin Cities and beyond, created by everyone from local bakeries to families and first-time gingerbread baking enthusiasts. Everyone is encouraged to enter their very own creation, regardless of their baking level. (Entries due by November 15.) The Norway House is located at 913 E Franklin Avenue. 612.871.2211 Facebook

Beginning November 17, the Gingerbread Wonderland is open:

10:00A - 4:00P, Tuesdays-Saturdays

11:00A - 3:00M, Sundays

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Closed Mondays, as well as Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. 

The Pioneers Monument

Article by Michael Rainville, Jr.

Growing up in Northeast Minneapolis, I frequently passed by the stone sculpture depicting a family of pioneers on the corner of 5th Avenue and Marshall Street. It seemed like an odd place for a work of art, but I never really thought anything of it. As I grew older and the sculpture moved across the street to B.F. Nelson Park, I had to find out how this giant piece of granite found its way to Northeast. The journey of one of Minneapolis’ most forgotten icons is interesting to say the least, and it started half a mile south on the other side of the river in front of the downtown Minneapolis Post Office.

 1936 grand ceremony officially opening Pioneer Square.

The Great Depression was one of America’s darkest times, and while Minneapolis was not affected as much as other major cities, it still had its pockets of troubles. One of these areas was the block between 1st and 2nd Streets and Marquette and 2nd Avenues, which is now occupied by The Churchill Apartments. The city bought the block in the early 1930’s, installed walkways, benches, and a lawn, and in 1936, a grand ceremony took place to officially open Pioneer Square. This ceremony also celebrated the 103rd anniversary of the birth of Charles Loring, the first president of the Minneapolis Park Board. The focal point of the ceremony was the unveiling of a monument carved by the famous Norwegian-American Sculptor John Karl Daniels, and once the granddaughter of Charles Loring was done with her speech, the giant sheet was lifted off the sculpture and those in attendance were amazed by the grand monument.

John Karl DanielsFunded by the Pillsbury family, John Karl Daniels’ 23-foot-tall, 500-ton St. Cloud granite sculpture towered over the rest of the park and greeted patrons of the post office as they made their way to its entrance. The sculptor depicted a pioneer family consisting of a father with a plow, a mother with a baby, and a sitting grandfather with an axe and rifle. Three generations of pioneers. Three generations of those who paved the way for the city’s residents. The back of the monument also has a relief that depicts Father Louis Hennepin receiving a peace pipe from a Dakota chief, another important moment of Minneapolis history.

While the small park was nice to have in that part of town, it quickly drew interest for other uses. In the early 1940’s, a parking ramp was proposed for the site, and in 1951, a public atomic bomb shelter was even considered. The lack of maintenance on the park made it a less than ideal place to visit. A 74-year-old John Karl Daniels even got a ladder, bucket, and mop, and cleaned his artwork himself. As the years went on it became evident that the small park was more of a nuisance, and in 1967 it became no more. The Pioneer Monument was the only thing salvaged from the park, but moving it was a tall task. It was initially offered to anyone willing to move it, which greatly upset a now 90-year-old John Karl Daniels, as he thought his sculpture deserved much better.

The second home for the Pioneer Monument was a small triangular piece of land on 5th Avenue and Marshall Street NE. Not the best spot for such a sculpture. The very small triangular park was at a curve in the road, and many cars ended up crashing right into the monument. Also, the base the monument was put on was not properly built and started to sink into the ground as the decades passed. This once grand sculpture was now a forgotten piece of Minneapolis history. However, in 1993, the Saint Anthony West Neighborhood Organization board, which previously stopped the Interstate 335 expansion, now led by Michael Rainville, Sr., began discussing the possibility of raising money to move the monument. It took another ten years for plans to take shape, and the fundraising began. Finally, in 2010, the neighborhood board raised $75,000 to move the monument, clean it, and prepare its new spot across the street in the new B.F. Nelson Park.

B.F. Nelson Park with the statue and skyline in the background. Photo credit Twin Cities Property Finder 

Seventy-four years and two parks later, the Pioneers Monument found its new, permanent home. While it’s a far cry from its original spot next to the downtown Minneapolis Post Office, the redeveloped B.F. Nelson Park is the perfect fit for this sculpture. John Karl Daniels can now rest easy knowing one of his most prideful works of art is being taken care of in a park that offers great views of the Mississippi riverfront. Now that the leaves have fallen, take a hike through B.F. Nelson, stop in front of the Pioneers Monument, and gaze at the perfect backdrop to this statue, the Minneapolis skyline.

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About Michael Rainville, Jr.

A 6th generation Minneapolitan, Michael Rainville Jr. received his B.A. in History from the University of St. Thomas, and is currently enrolled in their M.A. in Art History and Certificate in Museum Studies programs.

Michael is also a lead guide at Mobile Entertainment LLC, giving Segway tours of the Minneapolis riverfront for 6+ years.

He can be reached at mrainvillejr@comcast.net.