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Festive fiction

Lifestyle Columns

Holiday stories are in high demand in the library this time of year. If you crave a festive story—or are missing seasonal snow—check out this list of festive books available in the library published in or after 2022. “Wreck the Halls” by Tessa Bailey—A “daughter of music royalty discovers a decades-old scandal that threatens to ruin everything.” “Bright Lights, Big Christmas: a novel” by Susan Mallery—When Kerry moves back home to her family’s Christmas tree farm in North Carolina, she is guilt tripped into helping her brother sell trees in New York ...

Talent for pottery runs in the family

Lifestyle Columns

Would you believe that one of the most prominent figures in American art pottery came from England? Frederick Hurten Rhead was born in England in 1880 and started his ceramics career by working with his father, Frederick Alfred Rhead. Talent for pottery apparently ran in the family; Frederick Hurten’s uncles George Woolliscroft Rhead and Louis John Rhead, his sister Charlotte and his brother Harry also worked in ceramics. Frederick Hurten and Harry moved to the United States in the early 20th century. They both worked for Roseville Pottery in Ohio, which opened in 1890. Frederick ...

Follow the lights

Lifestyle Feature

For some, one of the best parts of the holiday season is wandering around neighborhoods enjoying the festive lighting put on display by those who enjoy the Christmas Spirit. In the past, The Facebook Page: New Ulm Tour of Lights has been a place for people to list their addresses for those ...

Stewart school board explains actions

Health

STEWART - The Stewart school board, finally breaking a long silence regarding the firing of one of its English teachers this fall, released a detailed explanation of its actions in the case Wednesday. The board in discharging Mary Vollmar for allowing one of her students to read a questionable book, has until now remained silent and refused to answer questions of newsmen concerning the case. School officials also have declined comment. In the release published by the Stewart Tribune in today’s edition, the board lists the various reasons it handled the case the way it did and ...

‘Fantasy furniture’ is whimsical and unusual

Lifestyle Columns

“Fantasy furniture” usually refers to postmodern pieces with whimsical shapes and unusual colors made from unexpected materials. Like many furniture styles, it’s older than you might expect. Furniture has been made in fanciful shapes for hundreds of years; with animals being a favorite element. While the name “fantasy furniture” may imply mythical animals like dragons or griffins -- and you can certainly see them in furniture and decorative arts -- representations of real-life animals count, too. Black Forest furniture with elements carved to look like realistic bears are ...

‘Past Lives,’ ‘May December’ and ‘American Fiction’ lead Spirit Award nominations

Lifestyle Columns

Celine Song’s “Past Lives,”Todd Haynes’ “May December” and Cord Jefferson’s “American Fiction” got a leading five nominations, including best feature, from the Film Independent Spirit Awards. Natalie Morales and Joel Kim Booster announced the nominees Tuesday on a YouTube livestream. Song’s quietly romantic film, starring Greta Lee and Teo Yoo as childhood friends who reconnect later in life, earned nominations for her direction, script and for both actors. “May December,” about an actress preparing to play a Mary Kay Letourneau-like role got nods for Natalie ...