Breaking News

Lifestyle Columns

Modern furniture era began in the 1940s

Furniture functions stay more or less the same, but styles change according to advances in technology, changes in society and the whims of fashion. Even if you’re not familiar with the history of furniture, you can tell that a plain Pilgrim trestle table, an ornately carved Victorian sofa and a Bauhaus tubular steel chair belong to different eras. This flame rocking chair, which sold for $240 at a Leland Little auction, is unmistakably modern. It was made by contemporary artist Erin Stesch and was auctioned to support an organization that preserves modern residential ...

Off the Shelf: Gratitude

Acknowledging one thing we are grateful for can positively shift our perspective. The New Ulm Public Library is definitely a happy thought for me. Library customers, staff, and supporters bring me joy each day. I am so grateful for my library community. If you are looking for ways to start or embellish your gratitude practice, try these library books and resources. “Wild and Free Holidays 35 Festive Family Activities to Make the Season Bright” by Ainsley Arment. This book is full of activities to brighten the holiday season. I recommend the section called the “The Thankful ...

Pie safes were common in 19th century kitchens

Part of the fun of antiques is learning about how people lived in the past. You can often find new uses for items whose purposes have become obsolete. This softwood cupboard with painted and punched tin panels sold for $384 at Conestoga Auctions. It’s a pie safe, which is not something you would see in a kitchen today but was common in the 19th century. The name “pie safe” may conjure up images of a locked box to keep Thanksgiving desserts out of reach, not to mention out of sight, and reduce the temptation to overindulge. In reality, they weren’t that drastic; they were ...

Senior Meals

MONDAY Tuna noodle casserole, mixed vegetables, wam cinnamon applesauce, dessert, milk. TUESDAY BBQ pork on a bun, coleslaw, vegetarian baked beans, warm fruit crisp, milk. WEDNESDAY Ham, cooked cabbage, peas and carrots, dinner roll, dessert, milk. THURSDAY No meals. Happy thanksgiving FRIDAY No meals. Happy thanksgiving. The New Ulm Community Center is OPEN for in person dining. Call 359-2243 for Delivery, or to reserve a meal for in person dining, or for pick-up. Meal Price is $8.75 for anyone under 60 years old. Participants 60 years or older are asked to donate ...

Holiday time

The holiday season is coming. Next week is Thanksgiving already! If you’re not feeling prepared, stop in and browse at the library: we have books that will help. I enjoy giving handmade gifts for the holidays. I’m a little pressed for time, so there won’t be very many handmade gifts this year, but I still like to browse the DIY gift books around the holidays. A recent addition is “Mini Knits for Christmas” by Sue Stratford (746.432 Stratfo). It has the cutest little things to knit for gifts or holiday décor. How about a hand-knit elf for your shelf? Or penguins in sweaters? ...

Antique periods often undergo revivals

Antique collectors know that styles repeat, pieces can be replicated and design periods can be revived. This stool was made in the 20th century, but its style is from the Empire period, which lasted from about 1815 to 1840 in America. Empire style originated with the French Empire in the early 1800s and was inspired by antiquities. Napoleon Bonaparte led an invasion of Egypt in 1798. Although his troops were defeated, a scientific expedition began. Napoleon sent scholars back to Egypt to study monuments and antiquities. This was the beginning of archaeology, inspiring a fashion for ...