August 11 is Mountain Day in Japan. It is a very new holiday, first officially observed in 2016, but mountains have held extremely important roles in Japanese art and culture for much longer. Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain, is one of the country’s most celebrated sights. Associated ...
A few months ago, I shared some books that our three book clubs had recently read and discussed. I also talked about the origins of book clubs and some of the benefits they provide. Here are a few more recent book club picks to get you thinking about trying a new author, a new genre, or about joining a book club! The Lit Wits Book Club recently read author Veronica Roth’s “Poster Girl.” Veronica Roth is best known for her dystopian young adult Divergent series, which were made into movies. “Poster Girl” is a book that is instead set after a dystopian regime has already fallen ...
For art glass collectors, a peachblow vase can be as much of a treat as a perfectly ripe peach at the peak of its season. Peachblow is one of the many types of two-tone art glass popular in the late Victorian era. The shaded glass craze began with Amberina, shading from amber to ruby, patented in 1883. Burmese glass, shading from pink to yellow, was registered in 1885. In 1886, tonal pink shades came into vogue, thanks to the sale of a famous antique Chinese ceramic vase, today called the Morgan vase, with a mottled pink glaze described as “peachblow” or “peach bloom.” By then, ...
Are you tired of waiting in the hold line for “Great Big Beautiful Life,” the newest Emily Henry book? Or maybe you are not waiting because you have already read the book and now you want more romantic comedies? Either way, the library can help! Here is a list of newer readalikes available at the library, with descriptions from the publishers. “It’s a Love Story” by Annabel Monaghan. “Jane Jackson spent her adolescence as ‘Poor Janey Jakes,’ the barbecue-sauce-in-her-braces punch line on America’s fifth-favorite sitcom. Now she’s trying to be taken seriously as a ...
The invention of the electric light bulb didn’t just introduce an improved, more convenient, safer light source. It gave designers new inspiration. As the use of electric lights spread during the late 19th to early 20th centuries, lamps with colorful opaque glass shades became popular. They made beautiful decorations, whether on or off, and the intense electric light shining through the glass often gave the design a whole new look. Tiffany, Handel, and Pairpoint made the most famous lamps of the time. They have stunning, high-quality shades made with complex techniques, and the bases ...
When you are looking for summer fun, your first stop should be the library! We have a variety of activities, borrowable items, and more to keep you busy and entertained. During 2024, we added Recreation Center passes. We have two single and two family (up to four people) passes that can be borrowed for seven days at a time. They grant you access to our wonderful New Ulm Recreation Center, where you can swim, play on the indoor playground, use exercise equipment, walk on the indoor track, and more. We’re so pleased to have added three Minnesota State Park passes to our collection ...
