Weekend Round-Up Part One

An Excursion to New York Mills, MN

Saturday on the way to Hackensack, MN from the Twin Cities I took a side trip to New York Mills, MN for Elisa Korenne's book launch. I posted a review of her book in May. 
http://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2017/05/a-minnesota-love-story.html

New York Mills,a population of 1,230, is located in the northeastern part of Otter Tail County, the heart of Minnesota Lake Country. Not only does it boast excellent fishing and recreation lakes but it also is the home of manufacturer Lund boats. The Lund trademark is regarded as a symbol of quality to all in the boating industry, and their boats are a common sight on the lakes of Minnesota as well as around the world. 

It was only fitting Elisa would have her book launch at New York Mills Cultural Center as this is where her story began. 

The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center is housed in a historic 1885 brick mercantile building. Here you will find visual and performing arts, classes, films, and an annual philosophy competition called the Great American Think-Off every June.

The center’s gallery hosts about 10 exhibits per year that showcase visual art such as paintings, ceramics, photography, printmaking and textiles. A monthly program series features evening music in an intimate space with seating for 125. The gift shop sells work by regional artists and Iittala glassware, a famed Finnish line that reflects the town’s cultural heritage. Across town, the city’s sculpture park features larger-scale work by local artists.

The book launch was sponsored by Friends of the New York Mills Library. Since Elisa is originally from New York, New York of course there had to be bagels. 

The wording on the cake references Elisa's song lyrics from her album also found in her book. 

It’s a hundred miles to nowhere
And nowhere’s where I’ve been
Can’t seem to get to somewhere
Though I keep trying

Not only did Elisa sign her new book for guests

but entertained the large crowd with one of her songs from her new CD Concrete 

and treated the crowd to a reading from her book. 

A surprise visit from her New York, New York parents for the occasion added to the festivities as well as   

meeting Elisa's special guy Chris. Together they brought their love story full circle back to New York Mills, MN 

Elisa and Chris photo credit by Krista Rolfzen Soukup (Elisa's publicist)  
https://www.bluecottageagency.com/