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Victorian garden stools were more than a place to sit

By Terry and Kim Kovel May means warmer weather, flowers blooming and more time spent outdoors, especially in the garden. Even if you’re as avid a gardener as Terry Kovel, the garden is never just a place for work. It’s a place to sit, relax and enjoy the view of your beautiful plants and the birds and butterflies they attract. Garden seats have been used for centuries. Early garden seats in China, called zuodun, literally “a block to sit on,” were shaped like barrels with a stretched skin top held in place with nails. Later garden seats were made of porcelain but had the ...

Library seeks public input on strategic plan

New Ulm Public Library is developing a five-year strategic plan to help set and prioritize goals that reflect the New Ulm community. A committee of seven people meets monthly to brainstorm and create a plan that we expect to implement in late 2023. The committee consists of four library staff members, two Library Board members, and one community member. If you are interested in joining the committee, please contact me at 507-359-8331 or aide@tds.lib.mn.us. The committee’s work has focused on foundational items; namely, mission, vision, and values statements. Our working mission ...

Stumpwork — a tricky technique

Textiles are fragile and need special care. Dust, light, insects and moisture can damage them. Antique textiles in good condition are rare and often sell for high prices. This needlepoint casket was made about 1660 in England and sold for $17,920, nearly three times its low estimate, at Morphy Auctions. A closer look shows that the colorful people, plants and animals stitched onto the fabric are three-dimensional, making the stitching even more complex. This tricky technique, called stumpwork, required padding the stitches to make the designs stand out. Scenes of people and animals in ...

Izaak Walton League thanks 3M

On behalf of the Izaak Walton League, New Ulm Chapter 79, I would like to thank the 3M Foundation for their generous gift of $2,600 to support the educational and environmental programs of our conservation club. This gift was made possible through the 3M retiree volunteer gift matching program. We want to thank our members who participated in this program: Tom Brown, Randy Newman, Gordy Palmer, Frank Pearse, Roman Schiller and Ron Schnobrich. We sincerely appreciate their support of the Izaak Walton League and thank 3M for recognizing the importance of the work that volunteers ...

Battle of the books and books

The Traverse des Sioux Library Cooperative will host its Tween and Teen Battle of the books on Aug. 5, 2023 at the St. Peter Community Center. Book Battle is now accepting applications. You can apply at the New Ulm Public Library or on our website at www.newulmlibrary.org. Just scroll down on the library’s home page and click on the poster for the event in your age range. You have until May 27 at noon to apply and space is limited. Tweens (ages 9-12) and teens (ages 13 -18) who are accepted will receive four books to keep. You will be notified when your books arrive at the library for ...

Furniture revivals bring old styles to new buyers

Furniture revivals have taken place since at least the 19th century and probably earlier. New technology made earlier ornate styles easier and less expensive to make, and therefore more accessible to the average buyer. Some are difficult to distinguish from authentic pieces. If you see the word “style” in a description, it is probably a copy or revival piece, not an authentic piece from the period. For example, this wine rack is described as “Regency style.” It was made in the 20th century, not the Regency period, and it sold for $813 at New Orleans Auction Galleries. The ...