November/December 2024

LIBRARY NEWS

Youth Writing Contest Winners

We extend our warmest congratulations to all the young writers who participated in our writing contest! Sixteen talented writers, ages 8-12, submitted stories inspired by Just Keep Walking, a middle-grade novel by Erin Soderberg Downing.

Erin, who has authored over 100 books for children, shared her own writing journey with students, parents, and educators. While she admitted that she didn’t love writing as a child, she had a deep passion for reading. With her mother working next to the library, Erin spent countless hours immersed in books. She reflected, “I learned a lot about how to be a writer by being a reader first.”

We were truly impressed by the array of imaginative stories we received. Erin faced the tough task of reviewing them and selecting the top three. During her visit to the library on Thursday, October 10, she announced the winners:

1st Place: Amelia Mills, a sixth grader at Stillwater Middle School, won for her story The Nightmare Forest. Erin praised Amelia’s winning story, noting, “You have a wonderful, descriptive first line that immediately pulled me into your writing! You excel at telling scary tales—this is definitely the right kind of story for you as a writer! Your writing is beautiful—lines like, 'Instead of dark swamp water green, it was a deep, resounding purple,' really impressed me.” Outside of writing and reading, Amelia enjoys playing softball and soccer, crafting bracelets, and diving into games of Monopoly.

Runner-Up: Isra Alsis, age 9.5 and a fourth grader at Stonebridge Elementary, wrote Castia’s Quest. Erin complimented Isra's story, stating, "I love how you twisted a realistic hiking adventure into a fantasy to create your own kind of story.” Avid reader that she is, Isra's favorite genre is fiction, with a particular fondness for the Percy Jackson series and the Warriors Cats series. She’s also excited to read Just Keep Walking and The Great Peach Experiment by Erin Soderberg Downing! Isra enjoys traveling and has a special love for clam chowder.

Runner-Up: Summer Sheffer, also a sixth grader at Stillwater Middle School, authored Lions, Foxes and Statues. Erin commended Summer's story, saying, "You used great visual details that really helped me see what these places and characters look like, making me feel like I was part of the story!” In her free time, Summer enjoys writing, drawing, and, of course, reading. Her favorite authors include Tui T. Sutherland, Erin Hunter, and Lisa McMann. If you’re looking for a reading adventure, Summer highly recommends The Poison Jungle (Wings of Fire #13)—one of her all-time favorites!

Friends Fall Used Book Sale 

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.

Members-Only Preview Sale: 

Wednesday, November 13 | 5-7 PM

Not a member of Friends of the Stillwater Public Library? Join at the door.

Open to the Public:

Thursday, November 14 | 10:15 AM-7 PM

Friday, November 15 | 10:15 AM-4:30 PM

Saturday, November 16 | 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.

Donate Your Books!

Before the book sale, donate your gently used books during the book donations drive on Saturday, November 9 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.

FROM OUR ARCHIVES

Company K, First Minnesota

This intriguing photo from the library's John Runk photo collection, initially dated August 27, 1917, and believed to be taken on North Third Street, offers a glimpse into a significant moment in local history.

Research on the back of the picture provides a closer examination of the image: "The picture has been identified as Company K, First Minnesota. The date may be inaccurate, for the men were mobilized for the Mexican border on June 19, 1916, and released nine months later. It was at this time that olive drab breeches and tunics made of wool, brown shoes with canvas leggings, and campaign hats with chinstraps were issued. The tunics were styled after a German uniform of the period with a stiff 'choker' collar.

Arriving at Camp Bobleter (on the Fort Snelling reservation), the returning troops were mustered out on March 14. On March 25, 1917, the First Minnesota as part of the National Guard, was called to active duty, just 11 days after the mustering out of Mexican border service. The First Minnesota was redesignated the 135th Infantry Regiment on October 1, and a few days later, October 9, entrained for Camp Cody, New Mexico."

To explore more historical images from the Runk Collection, visit the St. Croix Collection Room during library hours.

UPCOMING EVENTS

CELEBRATE VETERANS

In honor of Veterans Day, explore books by and about Veterans.

SUPPORT THE LIBRARY

Give to the Max Day

Give to the Max Day is Minnesota’s annual celebration of generosity and all of the ways nonprofits improve our lives. What started as a one-time fundraising campaign in 2009 has grown into an annual giving holiday, raising more than $330 million for Minnesota-based organizations to-date!

Stillwater Public Library Foundation is thrilled to participate in Give to the Max Day (GTMD). GTMD is a fantastic opportunity for the Foundation to raise funds and have chances to win additional grant support.

Early giving for GTMD24 begins on November 1, 2024 at midnight. The campaign culminates with Give to the Max Day, which takes place for 24 hours on Thursday, November 21.

Give today!