Bukoski coming to Cloquet library Thursday

Local author Anthony Bukoski will be at the library Thursday, March 14 at 6 p.m. to discuss his latest book, “Head of the Lakes: Selected Stories.”

The author answered a few questions for us.

Q: Where do you get the ideas for your stories?

Bukoski: Story ideas come almost nonstop to me. On the front cover of Redbook magazine, I once read the startling news: MY BODY WAS RUSTING TO DEATH. After reading the article, I wrote a story about a woman succumbing to oxidation in a Rust Belt city, namely Superior. Another time, my wife and I helped two Polish seamen leave ship in Superior to seek political asylum. This led to “A Chance for Snow,” the story of a seaman who, as he waits for his asylum claim to be processed at the federal building in Duluth, lives with a Polish family … I’ve written many stories. I can’t help but write them. As I say, ideas are everywhere.

Q: Are there any mysteries that fascinate you about Superior?

Bukoski: Everything about my beloved hometown fascinates me — the docks, the rail yards, the grain elevators, the maritime trade, the fog, the rundown buildings. I live in a remote and unusual place. Everything here is a great mystery to me the way it must have been to my immigrant grandparents.

Q: What do you think are some of the defining characteristics of people from this area, the Head of the Lakes?

Bukoski: Here I’ll generalize. I like our work ethic, our hardy determination to overcome difficulties, whether difficulties posed by the weather, say the short summers, or by changes on the docks or in the mills. I like our willingness to struggle during difficult times. Consider my father. Once a seaman on both the Atlantic Ocean and the lakes, he eventually came to work, to labor, at King Midas Flour on the waterfront in the East End of town. He and my mother kept up the house, paid the bills, faithfully attended Mass at St. Adalbert’s. Sometimes seven days a week, he walked with his lunch pail to the mill, never complaining.

In other matters, our “Love Your Neighbor Amnesty Week” last month was a great success. We forgave $782 in overdue fines and collected 217 pounds of food for the Salvation Army Food Shelf. Thank you to everyone who donated so generously.

Check out these upcoming March programs:

Tech Teen Wednesdays will offer varied STEM programming for teens at the library Wednesdays at 4 p.m. Teens will face a different, fun task every week! Everything from Fortnite Freeplay on our new laptops to building with Arduino microprocessors. Sometimes, we might even get out the sewing machines! This project was made possible by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Every state has colors, people just view them differently. Did you know that in Minnesota the color of rain is purple? Or that when Minnesotans see blue they see a land of 10,000 Lakes? Or that instead of playing Duck, Duck, Goose, kids in Minnesota play Duck, Duck, Gray Duck? Join author Ryan J. Schroeder as he explores the state of Minnesota and the colors that surround us at his Colors of Minnesota program. This program is geared toward children ages 3-6. Program length is 45 minutes. This program will be at the Cloquet Library Monday, March 11 at 10 a.m.

Artist Karen Savage-Blue returns to lead an Art for Grown-Ups workshop Friday, March 22 at 5:30 p.m. Participants will paint ravens and crows. Karen teaches art at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College and, before that, taught art to grades K-12. Please stop by the library or call (218) 879-1531 to reserve your space.

Vaping and e-cigarettes are very popular and pose health risks. The American Lung Association will be at the library Tuesday, March 26 at 6 p.m. to lead a

Vaping Information Session. Participants will learn about the health risks of e-cigarettes and vaping, what vaping accessories look like, and how they can prevent a loved one from becoming addicted.

Anne Lundquist is the assistant director at the Cloquet Public Library, located at 320 14th St. in Cloquet. Call 218-879-1531 for more information.