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November/December 2025 | LIBRARY NEWS |
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The Winning Writers Are . . . |
We celebrated young storytellers last week as Minnesota Book Award author Jacqueline West announced the winners of the Youth Mystery Writing Contest during her visit to the library.
Twenty writers between the ages of 8 and 12 submitted original mysteries inspired by West’s middle-grade novels The Books of Elsewhere and Long Lost. West read each story and provided personal feedback to every writer. West praised the entrants for their imagination, suspense, and creativity before announcing the winners:
1st Place: Amelia Mills, a seventh grader at Stillwater Middle School, won for her story What Lurks in the Woods. West described Amelia’s winning story as having “an eerie and excellent sense of place” with a “very creepy twist at the end.”
As an avid writer, Amelia has already completed several stories and has countless other ideas waiting to be developed. Amelia loves reading series like Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, Percy Jackson, Nevermoor, and The Inheritance Games. When she’s not writing or reading, Amelia keeps busy running cross country, playing soccer and softball, climbing trees, participating in Girl Scouts (Troop 57685), making jewelry, and performing in theater.
Runner-up: Benjamin Alam-Price, a sixth grader at Stillwater Middle School, wrote My Eyes Might Deceive Me. West called Benjamin’s story “tightly woven” and praised its mix of description, dialogue, and action.
The first book Benjamin ever wrote was in second grade with his two friends, Brady and Rowan. Their series, Creepy Storys—misspelled because, as Benjamin says, “well, it’s second grade!”—grew to nine books, plus a few prequels and lore notes. Outside of writing, Benjamin enjoys watching YouTube, playing video games, snowboarding, and swimming. He even runs his own YouTube channel, where he posts content about games and shares original music he creates himself.
Runner-up: Molly Sellers, a sixth grader who is homeschooled, wrote The Farmhouse Mystery. West commented that Molly’s story had “lovely writing” and “a wonderful fairy tale feeling.”
A passionate writer, Molly has created lots of stories—most of them full of adventure. When she’s not writing, Molly enjoys boating, reading, playing in the forest near her home, spending time with friends, practicing jiu-jitsu, and participating in Bible quizzing. Her favorite book series is The Green Ember by S.D. Smith, followed by The Lantern Lane series by Tessa Greene and The Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder—all of which she highly recommends.
We’d also like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to Laura Hammond, English teacher at Stillwater Middle School. Several students shared that she encouraged them to enter the contest—runner-up Benjamin even dedicated his story to her! We deeply appreciate teachers who inspire a love of reading and writing in their students.
Congratulations to all the participants for bringing mystery and imagination to life in Stillwater!
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| Read the Winning Stories
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Friends Used Book Sale & Drive | Book lovers and bargain hunters — you are in for a treat! The Friends of the Stillwater Public Library is hosting a used book sale. Proceeds benefit the library and enhance materials and programs.
Donate Your Books on Saturday, November 8:
Before the book sale, donate your gently used books during the book donations drive on Saturday, November 8 from 10:30 AM - 3 PM. Just pull into the library’s parking ramp on Third Street, and volunteers will help unload your materials. None of the following items will be accepted: encyclopedias, magazines, Reader’s Digest Condensed Books, textbooks, religious materials, National Geographic, videos, cassettes, or partially used puzzle books.
Members-Only Preview Sale: Wednesday, November 12 | 5-7 PM Not a member of Friends of the Stillwater Public Library? Join at the door.
Open to the Public: Thursday, November 13 | 10:15 AM-7 PM Friday, November 14 | 10:15 AM-4:30 PM
Saturday, November 15 | 10:15 AM-4:30 PM (Bag sale all day on Saturday!)
Cash or check only. Most items priced at $1-$2. $35 charge for use of a scanner.
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| FEATURED FALL SERIES |
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| Explore Minnesota's Natural Wonders |
This fall, we invite curious minds of all ages to explore the natural world through a series of special programs led by naturalist Andy Weaver.
A retired biology and environmental science teacher from Stillwater Area High School, Andy is known for his storytelling style, interactive approach, and deep knowledge of Minnesota’s ecosystems. Whether you join for one session or attend them all, you’ll leave with a renewed appreciation for the world around you.
Andy’s mission is to spark a love for nature in learners of all ages. “Libraries help foster curiosity and are a great place to discover and cultivate new ideas, individually or with other people,” he says.
All About Raptors with Andy Weaver & Jackie Fallon Thursday, November 6, 6-7:30 PM
Veteran researcher Jackie Fallon, Midwest Peregrine Society, will join Andy Weaver for an up-close look at live raptor birds. Gain firsthand insight on the past, present, and future of peregrine falcons in Minnesota. Learn why they are important and what we can do to help them survive. Program is best for ages 8 and up, including adults. Registration required.
Wild Rice Tuesday, November 18, 6:30-7:30 PM
Minnesota is home to more wild rice than any other state. Join naturalist Andy Weaver to learn about the unique ecological and historical importance of wild rice in Minnesota's waters. The program is designed for an adult audience. Registration encouraged.
BWCA 101 Tuesday, November 25, 6:30-7:30 PM
Spanning over a million acres and featuring 1,175 lakes plus more than 1,200 miles of canoe routes, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness offers endless opportunities for exploration and adventure. Andy will provide an introduction to the BWCA, covering the basics for planning your first trip. Program is geared to adults. Registration encouraged.
Minnesota Mammals Saturday, December 6, 10:30 AM-12 PM
Learn about Minnesota's mammals with Andy Weaver. He'll have skins and skulls - no living animals. Geared toward ages 8 and up. Registration required.
And we’re sneaking in one more program by another favorite presenter to round out the series! Join Kyle Te Poel, certified birding guide and founder of Next Bend Birding Tours, for Mysteries of Migration. With over 15 years of experience working with organizations such as the National Park Service and Audubon Society, Kyle will uncover the science and wonder behind animal migration—from birds to butterflies. Program is geared to adults.
Mysteries of Migration with Kyle Te Poel Wednesday, November 19, 6 PM
Registration encouraged.
View the November and December calendars for a full list of upcoming library programs.
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| Artist Marianne Barratt
This November and December, Stillwater Public Library is proud to showcase Now and Then... 70 Years of a Creative Life, featuring the work of local artist Marianne Barratt. A self-described expressive and impressionist painter, Marianne works from her home studio in Stillwater, moving fluidly between oils, acrylics, and mixed media to create pieces that explore reflection, color, and light.
Growing up across the country—and spending seven formative years on Mississippi’s Gulf Coast where she was fortunate to study with painter Dalton Shourds King—Marianne’s artistic foundation was built through mentorship rather than formal art school. “My love for creating began the moment I first wrapped my fingers around a crayon,” she says. “Seventy years later, I’m still making art that brings me peace, joy, and sometimes healing in a complicated world.”
Over the decades, Marianne’s style has evolved from Impressionism toward Expressionism and abstraction, but her work remains united by what she calls a “thread of familiarity”—a sense of spirit that connects past and present. Her paintings have been exhibited widely, including at the Phipps Center for the Arts, the Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Show, ArtReach St. Croix, and the Northwest Watercolor Society International Exhibition.
As Marianne reflects, “History shows us that artists don’t really retire—and with any luck, I’ll still be learning, experimenting, and painting in my 90s.”
Meet Marianne and learn about her works at an artist reception on Thursday, November 20 from 6:30 - 7:30 PM. | |
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Books to Lift Caregivers |
In November, we celebrate the compassion, resilience, and dedication of caregivers everywhere. Whether you’re supporting a loved one or working in a caring profession, these books offer comfort, understanding, and inspiration. From heartfelt memoirs to practical guides, find stories that remind you—you’re not alone.
On Friday, November 14 at 1:30 PM, come to the library for a conversation about My Two Elaines with staff from Family Means Caregiving and Aging. In this memoir, author Martin Schreiber shares his emotional and practical journey caring for his wife through dementia. The book offers heartfelt insights and valuable guidance on supporting a loved one while maintaining the caregiver’s own well-being. Register to attend.
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| The Forgotten Cemetery | Tucked quietly into the woods just north of Stillwater, Minnesota, lies a small and nearly forgotten cemetery, the resting place of residents from Washington County’s Poor Farm.
In 1858, the county purchased 207 acres of land here to create a “Poor Farm,” one of Minnesota’s earliest efforts to care for people who were struggling, those who were elderly, ill, or simply down on their luck. Residents lived and worked on the farm, raising crops, tending animals, and helping maintain the property. The farm was meant to be as self-sustaining as possible, offering both shelter and purpose.
Over the years, the Poor Farm evolved with the times. A larger brick building was constructed in 1925. It became the Washington County Home in the 1930s and later the Pine Point Nursing Home before closing in the 1970s. The property was eventually transformed by Washington County into Pine Point Regional Park, with 26 acres sold and redeveloped into the elegant Outing Lodge.
A few hundred yards from the old farm site, among the trees, lies the Poor Farm Cemetery. Once marked by simple wooden or stone markers, it’s now almost hidden by forest growth. Records suggest that more than forty people were buried here in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Today, the cemetery is unmarked and quiet. It's easy to miss unless you know where to look. It serves as a gentle reminder of one of the ways early communities cared for their most vulnerable, and of the many lives that helped shape Washington County’s early history. This photo was taken in 1989 as part of an effort to document the cemetery during the planning of Pine Point Park by Washington County. The photographer is unknown, and you can find it and others taken near it in book 21 of the John Runk Historical Photo Collection in the St. Croix Collection Room. |
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| Ways to Support our Community | As the season of giving approaches, the library is partnering with local organizations to make it easier than ever to give back. Whether you donate a coat, make a Food-to-Go Bag, give blood, or support the Library Foundation, every act of generosity strengthens our community.
Valley Outreach Winter Warmth Drive
As temperatures drop, many families in our community are struggling to stay warm. Donate gently used or new winter clothing — coats, sweaters, gloves, hats, and socks — to help your neighbors face the cold with comfort and dignity. Drop donations in the collection bin on the lower level of the library by the Information Desk through November.
Food-to-Go Bags: A Community Resource
To help meet greater community needs during the disruption to SNAP food benefits, Valley Outreach Food-to-Go Bags are now available at the library’s 4th Street entrance for anyone seeking quick, shelf-stable meal options. Each bag provides enough food to feed a family of four for one full day.
Want to help? You can assemble Food-to-Go Bags at home and drop them off directly at Valley Outreach. Instructions and details are available at valleyoutreachmn.org/food-to-go-bags.
Blood Drive: Give the Gift of Life
On Monday, December 15, we’re partnering with the American Red Cross for a community blood drive. One pint of blood can save up to three lives — a simple act that makes a powerful impact. Learn more and sign up online. Appointments can also be made by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Give Back to Your Library
Give to the Max Day Thursday, November 20 is a chance to support local nonprofits — including our library! Gifts to the Stillwater Public Library Foundation help fund programs, resources, and experiences that bring the community together. Even a small gift can make a big difference in supporting readers, learners, and lifelong curiosity.
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