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One man’s damage is another man’s decoration

In the late 19th century, interior decorator Louis Comfort Tiffany was in search of new colors to use in his leaded glass windows. He hired glassmaker Arthur J. Nash to make iridescent glass. The company was producing iridescent vases and accessories by 1894. It is said that Tiffany was inspired by glass he saw in Europe; possibly ancient glass from 19th-century archaeological digs. Glass has been made for thousands of years, with the earliest known blown glass made in Jerusalem about 50 B.C., and evidence that glassblowing was practiced in Italy about the same time. As bottle diggers ...

Fall has arrived!

According to the calendar, fall has arrived. I feel like summer just flew by this year. Maybe it was the rainy June that made it seem like it didn’t start when it should have. If you are looking for ideas to get you into the spirit of fall, you might like the following books. Canning and preserving have experienced a comeback in recent years. “Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving: 400 Delicious and Creative Recipes for Today” (641.42 Ball) was updated a few years ago and is a great all around reference, whether you are new to preserving or have been doing it for years. Freezing ...

Antiques are a reminder of changes around us

Every antique tells a story. It’s often one of change, sometimes over a relatively small amount of time. Look at the simple act of writing. Most of us probably have several ballpoint pens scattered throughout a desk -- and most of our writing, whether it’s a professional project, a school ...

Great library resources

New Ulm Public Library has a wealth of resources: from collections to technology, programs to skilled librarians. I want to share a few resources that you might not know that we offer. As with any library resources, our staff are happy to assist you. Do you have a desire to learn another language but don’t know where to start? Check out Mango Languages, a language-learning tool offered in partnership with the Traverse des Sioux Regional Library. Mango Languages offers courses in over seventy world languages for learners of all ages and skill levels. They even offer an app to make ...

‘Have A Good One It’s Union Made’

“Have A Good One -- It’s Union Made” is the slogan on this cigar store advertising sign. It could also work as a Labor Day salutation. The first Labor Day celebration, held in New York City on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 1882, was planned by the Central Labor Union. Labor activists in other states adopted the holiday, and it was signed into national law by President Grover Cleveland in 1894. At the time, the Cigar Maker’s International Union was one of the best-known and most influential trade unions in the country. This union started in 1864, about the time cigars were becoming popular ...

Summer reading and beyond

This year’s summer reading program theme was Adventure Begins at Your Library. I want to take a moment to thank all of the parents, caregivers, children, and teens who participated this year. I would also like to thank the library staff. They did an excellent job helping to make the program happen throughout a very busy summer. We recorded 844 people in attendance at the 35 programs scheduled this summer. 1319 in-house scavenger hunts were completed, and 485 crafts were created during the eight weeks of the program. At the end of the eight-week program, finishers received a free book, ...