Nancy Pedersen, a storyteller, left, presented Halloween story time to a group of children and their parents at the Stewartville Public Library on Saturday morning, Oct. 29. Bo Boettcher, 5, of Stewartville, right, smiles as he listens. At far right, Vanessa Stensrud of Stewartville holds her daughter Jersey, 3.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME -- Roger and Kris Wiltgen, 304 Third Street Southwest, pose near the Christmas tree inside their 109-year-old home, which was built in 1898 and has had only three owners, including Jay and Martha Benedict, Curt and Donna Reiser and the Wiltgens. Jay Benedict purchased the home from the lumber company that originally built it.
ART IN THE HOME -- The walls of Donald Sullivan's home at 111 Sixth Street Northeast are adorned with a number of paintings by Robert Sullivan, a well-known Simpson artist, including the winter scene shown above.
Gerri Gray sits near the fireplace inside the historic Griffin-Gray Funeral Home.
READY FOR CHRISTMAS -- Connie Hayes sits near the piano at her home at 102 Lakeshore Drive. The house is adorned for Christmas, as evidenced by the two angels and the Nativity scene atop the piano. Helen Tews Hagen, the daughter of the owners of the Tews Hotel, once lived in the home. Mrs. Hagen's quality choices for wall coverings and other furnishings remain evident.
MANGER SCENE -- Shirley Carlson enjoys a closeup look at a Nativity scene inside her historic home at 601 Sixth Street Southwest. The Carlson home will be one of five featured during this year's Friends of the Library Holiday House Tour, to be held this Saturday, Dec. 1 from noon to 4 p.m. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Stewartville Public Library.
The Stewartville STAR's camera captured a number of highlights during 2007, including, Dan and Kelly Tweite pose in their garden, which was part of the annual Friends of the Library Garden Tour.
A GOOD STORY -- Pat Johnson, director of the Stewartville Public Library, right, reads a story to an attentive audience of Wee Care students and parents during the library's Wee Care Family Night on Tuesday, March 11.
A GOOD STORY -- Pat Johnson, director of the Stewartville Public Library read stories to an attentive audience of Wee Care students and parents during the library's Wee Care Family Night on Tuesday, March 11. Here, Denise Engel, who was accompanied by children Sarah, Ashley and Braden, pauses before sharing from a book.
Mary Nagel of Stewartville reads the book "Sea Turtles" to her son Ethan, 4, during Wee Care Bedtime Stories at the Stewartville Public Library on Tuesday evening, March 12. Barb Howes, director of Wee Care, said that the event, held in conjunction with "Read to Your Child Month" in March, is designed to introduce families to the Stewartville Public Library.
Sam Edge, a senior at Stewartville High School and a page at the Stewartville Public Library, has brought three aluminum Christmas trees to the library. "It's something whimsical and different," he said.
Andrew Langseth of Stewartville reads a book about wrestling to three of his children, including, from left, Josh, 7; Reagan, 1; and Asher, 4, at the Stewartville Public Library's Wee Care Pajama Night last Thursday, March 13. Many Wee Care parents and their children attended the event. Asher Langseth is a student in a butterfly class at Wee Care.
Diane Johnson of Stewartville reads "The Lego Adventure Book" to her son Dale, 4 1/2, at the Wee Care Pajama Night at the Stewartville Public Library on Thursday evening, March 13. Dale is a student at Wee Care.
About 50 children enjoyed the music as the Zinghoppers hosted a dance party at the Stewartville Civic Center last Wednesday, June 25. Here, Addy Blake, left, and Betsy Langseth, 3-year-olds from Stewartville, stay in step with the music. The Stewartville Public Library sponsored the program, which promoted reading.
Ryn Pitts, author of Deadly Benefits, a mystery-thriller and commentary on the United States' health care system, said that it took her nine years to complete <!--1up-20-->the book from beginning to end.
Three students from Central Intermediate School have won bicycles courtesy of the Stewartville Masonic Lodge and the Olmsted County Deputy Sheriffs Association. Students who received the bicycles at an all-school assembly on Monday, Dec. 22 include, in front, from left, Henry Gray, a fourth grader; Bella Vasoli, a third grader; and Brenna Yeadon, a fifth grader. In back, from left, are George Thompson, William Hubbard and Leonard Griffith, all past masters of the Stewartville Masonic Lodge. To be eligible to win a bicycle, a student must read a book, then enter his or her name for each book read in a drawing held each December and May. Hubbard spoke briefly at the assembly, saying that the Masons give away the bikes as a way to motivate young students to read. "We really would like you to read," he told the students.
Jaymie Carolan of Stewartville joins her children Cody, 6, left, and Kaitlyn, 4, for a reading session during the annual St. John's Wee Care Pajama Party at the Stewartville Public Library on Tuesday evening, March 10.
Sam Edge, a page at the Stewartville Public Library, displays the new mini library that will be placed on the lawn of a Stewartville home this fall. Residents interested in being the host family for the mini library may enter their name in a drawing at the Stewartville Public Library this summer. "We'll take names throughout the summer," said Deb Lofgren, associate librarian. "(The mini library) will be installed by this fall."
Conner Lohmann, son of Eric and Karri Lohmann from Rockie Top Acres hangs on to Llama Llama Red Pajama. The llama will be at the Stewartville Public Library on Tuesday, June 23 in conjunction with the library's story time.
Hundreds of music lovers attended Gospel Music Bash #1 at the Stewartville High School Performing Arts Center last Wednesday evening, June 24. Gloria Nihart of Stewartville, second from right, who organized the show, joins Shuree, a gospel and rock singer from Chicago, far right, and members of NYU Testament in a rendition of Amazing Grace to kick off the show. A feature story and more pictures from Gospel Music Bash #1 will appear in the Stewartville STAR's Tuesday, July 7 issue.
C.J. and Carrie Boerger, 611 Twelfth Avenue Ave. Southeast, Stewartville, welcome local and area residents to check out the books for children and adults in the already-popular mini library at a corner of their front lawn. The Boergers' children include, front row, from left, Charlie, 7; and Chloe, 4. Caleb, 17 months, is sitting in Carrie's arms.
C.J. and Carrie Boerger and their children, Charlie, 7; Chloe, 4; and Caleb, 17 months, welcome local and area residents to check out books from the already-popular mini library at a corner of their front lawn at 611 Twelfth Avenue Southeast.
A SPECIAL HONOR -- Audrey Betcher of Stewartville, the director of the Rochester Public Library, has been named the recipient of the United Way of Olmsted County's Maude Finch Award, which she will accept this Wednesday, Jan. 20.
Catherine Armstrong, a Rochester author, will speak at the Stewartville Public Library on Thursday, Feb. 11 at 7 p.m.
Kaysie Manion of Stewartville holds 6-month-old McKinnley and listens to daughter Morgyn, 7, read Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss at the annual Pajama Party for St. John's Wee Care students and their parents at the Stewartville Public Library last Tuesday evening, March 8.
Sarah Henke of Stewartville reads Batter Up, Sponge Bob! to her daughter Lilly, 4, at the annual Pajama Party for Wee Care children and their parents at the Stewartville Public Library last Tuesday, March 8.
Glynis Sturm, second from right, has retired after a 27-year career at the Stewartville Public Library. From left, Pat Johnson, library director; Sam Edge, page; and Deb Lofgren, associate librarian, joined Sturm at a retirement party at the library on Friday, May 27. Libraries make a huge difference in people's lives, Sturm said. "I wouldn't live in a community without a library," she said.
Nathan Jeche loves to visit the Stewartville Public Library. Last week, he took a close look at the library's newly reorganized section for young readers. "There are paperbacks in baskets, and the section features a new author each month," said Pat Johnson, library director.
Nathan Jeche, 10, who will be a fifth grader at Bear Cave Intermediate School this September, stands near the newly expanded graphic books area at the Stewartville Public Library last week. "I love to read," Nathan said.
Batman, portrayed by Rob Mathias, the chairman of the Stewartville School Board, read a book detailing the history of the Caped Crusader to a kindergarten class at Bonner Elementary School last Thursday, Feb. 23. Lindsay Dick, the children's teacher, listens in the background.
Kyle and Cara Rentz of Stewartville, parents of Stacy, 7, left, and Amy 4, a Wee Care student, read Are You My Mother? to their children at the Wee Care Pajama Party at the Stewartville Public Library on Tuesday evening, March 7.
Children from St. John's Wee Care wore pajamas to separate gatherings at the Stewartville Public Library on Monday, March 6 and Tuesday, March 7. Parents and grandparents read to the Wee Care students or helped them make shamrocks. At left, Valerie Kafka of Stewartville assists as her granddaughter, Kira Kafka, 5, a Wee Care butterfly student, adds glue to a shamrock leaf on Tuesday evening, March 7.
Pat Johnson, library director, stands inside the Stewartville Public Library, furnished with new tables, chairs and carpeting in late July. The tables, which came to the library courtesy of a private donation, brighten the space and are easy to move from place to place, Johnson said. The chairs, from Hom Furniture, Rochester, are durable, stable and easy to clean, she said. Library patrons, staff and members of the Library Board chose the new carpeting, from Hiller's Flooring America of Rochester. Visitors like the changes, Johnson said. "The carpeting is the first thing they talk about," she said.
In the near future, the Stewartville Public Library will be required to pay for SELCO plastic book bags. With that in mind, librarians are seeking local and area residents interested in sewing book bags or donating recyclable bags to be used by library patrons. "We would like to involve as many patrons or people willing to help as possible to make this a community project," a statement from the library says. From left, Pat Johnson, library director, and librarians Deb Lofgren and Sue Edge display a few sample bag styles.
Sue Edge, a librarian at the Stewartville Public Library, left, hosted a Halloween story time at the library on Saturday morning, Oct. 28. As part of her presentation, Edge encouraged those in the audience to make pumpkin faces, which drew an enthusiastic response from Sarah Syhakhoun of Stewartville, right, and her 2-year-old daughter, Celia.
"Mr. Books" is the name of the stuffed tiger on display at the Stewartville Public Library. Parker Carrigan of Stewartville, above, submitted the winning entry in the library's contest to name the tiger.
Sue Edge, a librarian at the Stewartville Public Library, left, hosted a Halloween story time at the library on Saturday, Oct. 28. Edge encouraged those in the audience to make pumpkin faces, which drew an enthusiastic response from Sarah Syhakhoun of Stewartville, right, and her 2-year-old daughter, Celia.
Peggy Lenton Hale reads from her book, Tied with Red Cord...Unraveling My Grandmother's Story, at the Stewartville Public Library on Saturday afternoon, Feb. 3. Lenton told the audience she has fond memories of growing up in Stewartville.
Juggler Jason Huneke keeps four pins going at once at a show sponsored by the Stewartville Public Library's summer reading program at the Stewartville Civic Center on Wednesday, July 11.
Sue Edge, an associate librarian at the Stewartville Public Library, left, hosted a story time at the library on Tuesday, Oct. 16. She read a number of Halloween-related books to a large audience of children, including a book that encourages kids to make a variety of pumpkin faces.
Grace Koza, 3, of Stewartville, wearing the read sweater, points to something interesting as she reviews a book a few minutes before story time began at the Stewartville Public Library on Tuesday, Dec. 11. Looking on, from left, are Jack Angeli, 2, of Rochester, and Jack's sister Alice Angeli, 4.
Sue Edge, librarian at the Stewartville Public Library, left, read Christmas stories to a group of children and their mothers during story time at the Stewartville Public Library on Tuesday morning, Dec. 11. Debbie Lofgren, another librarian, joined the fun by distributing strings of bells to the children, who rang the bells as the group danced and sang Jingle Bells
A large group of students and parents attended the annual St. John's Wee Care Pajama Party on Tuesday evening, March 5. Here, Erin Plizga of rural Stewartville reads The Cow Loves Cookies to her son Owen, 4, a Wee Care student.
Children and adults from St. John's Wee Care wore pajamas to a gathering at the Stewartville Public Library on Tuesday evening, March 5. Parents and grandparents read books to their children and also helped the kids with a craft project. Above, Dee Radtke, director of the Wee Care Learning Center, reads the book Veterinarians to Katherine Lennon, 5, a butterfly student at Wee Care.
Debbie Lofgren, left, an associate librarian who has worked at the Stewartville Public Library for 33 years and seven months, and Pat Johnson, library director for almost 27 years, are retiring from their positions. Both are grateful for the relationship they have developed over the years. "The time I have worked with Pat Johnson has flown by due to the fact that she has always encouraged me to pursue new things," Lofgren said. "I have enjoyed our time together, and I will miss that." Johnson paid tribute to Lofgren as well, saying, "Debbie Lofgren has been such a great worker and supporter of the library. She has been so supportive of me, and I will really miss her."
Doug Ohman, a freelance photographer and public speaker, displayed his photos of cemeteries and graveyards on a large screen as he spoke to an attentive audience, left, at the Stewartville Public Library on Thursday evening, March 28.
Pat Johnson, left, and Debbie Lofgren, right, recently retired from the Stewartville Public Library, accept special service awards from Mayor Jimmie-John King, center.
After her younger brother Brody, right, built a tower during the Stewartville Public Library's LEGO program on Tuesday afternoon, March 10, Addy Blake, 9, of Pleasant Grove, measures just how tall Brody's tower is. On each consecutive Tuesday of each month, the library highights a particular theme, either a LEGO program, a craft project, a STEM opportunity or a game night.
Sarah Schramek, an aide at the Stewartville Public Library, left, and Nate Deprey, library director, display one of the 120 Build Your Own Gingerbread House kits Deprey purchased from Five Below in Rochester. Beginning Monday, Dec. 7, local and area residents may take home a free, already-constructed house.
Nate Deprey, director of the Stewartville Public Library, stands near the building's entrance where a new, lighted sign in the front window declares that the library is open. "People were having a hard time telling whether we were open or not," Deprey said. "This has added to our street presence. It says, 'We are open. Come on in." The city paid about $140 on Amazon for the LED, low-energy sign, Deprey said.
Nate Deprey, director of the Stewartville Public Library, says when he thinks about expanding the library, the children's area is a possibility. "We are short on shelf space for children and adult fiction," he said. "Twenty-five percent of our circulation comes from the children's area."
Nate Deprey, director of the Stewartville Public Library, displays one of the 100 "Build a Bird Feeder" kits the library has offered to local and area residents beginning Monday, May 3. Residents interested in a free bird feeder kit may call the library at 533-4902 or stop by the library while supplies last. The library has a total of 140 pounds of birdseed for the 100 feeders, Deprey said.
Nate Deprey, director of the Stewartville Public Library, displays a small collection of the thousands of kids books, picture books, juvenile fiction, early readers books and young adult novels that will go on sale at the Library this Wednesday, Aug. 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday, Aug. 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. On Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., shoppers will pay $5 each for a tote bag (pictured at far left on the table) full of any books left over.
Kathryn Yetter, left, holding her 1 1/2 year-old son William as she smiles at her 6-year-old son Logan, is one of many Stewartville and area residents who bought books from the Stewartville Public Library for 50 cents each at the Library's Book Sale, held on Wednesday, Aug. 18 and Thursday, Aug. 19. Yetter enjoyed browsing for books. "I'm pretty excited," she said. "There are so many books here, and everybody benefits from a book sale." Sue Edge, library associate who assisted with the sale, looks on in the background.
Ava Faupel, left, and Lydia Fryer, seniors at the Stewartville High School, are the new pages at the Stewartville Public Library.
Sue Edge, associate librarian for five years at the Stewartville Public Library, plans to retire from her position effective Friday, Oct. 1. "I need to spend more time at home," she said.
Sarah Schramek, who has served as an aide at the Stewartville Public Library for almost two years, is the Library's new associate librarian.
Nate Deprey, director of the Stewartville Public Library, holds a version of a PDF flash drive, which contains the same information as the 65 rolls of microfilm stacked at left. Residents can now use the flash drive to search for historical information from the Stewartville STAR.
Nate Deprey, director of the Stewartville Public Library, poses near the kiosk located at the Library's entrance. The kiosk offers a wide variety of Olmsted County Services for residents who would prefer to avoid a trip to Rochester.
