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Three authors are coming to the BE Library

Landvik on Sept. 26, Kimball on Oct. 14, Wilson on Nov. 4

By Loria Rebuffoni - Staff Writer | Sep 15, 2024

Heidi Schutt, the director of the Blue Earth Community Library, holds copies of the books written by the three authors who will be coming to the library in the next weeks.

Three Minnesota authors are scheduled to appear at the Blue Earth Community Library for their Fall Author Series.

Lorna Landvik, a fiction and humor author, will speak Thursday, Sept. 26 at 6:30 p.m.

What sort of name is Landvik? Lorna says,

“Norwegian. My mother’s family was from the Valdres Valley area and my dad’s from Telemark. I never thought much of my heritage (Minnesota reeks of Scandinavians) until I went to Norway at 17 and man, oh man, did I appreciate all those good-looking Norske men – even the two fodder farmers who took my friend to a topless cabaret (we thought we were going to see jugglers). I am proud to be a descendant of a country that is so forward-thinking and takes care of its people. Also I like the color blond.”

Joe Kimball will speak on Monday, Oct. 14 at 6:30 p.m. Kimball is a crime journalist best known for his reporting on the Glensheen mansion in Duluth after the murders that occurred there.

The Glensheen mansion is a landmark in the city of Duluth. It was built in 1908 by Chester and Clara Congdon.

The Glensheen murders were the murders of Elisabeth Mannering Congdon and her night nurse Velma Pietila on June 27, 1977.

The motive was initially thought to be robbery, but soon the authorities began to suspect Congdon’s son-in-law Roger Caldwell and adopted daughter Marjorie Congdon. Eventually he would be convicted and she would be acquitted. Later she would be found guilty of arson and fraud, crimes for which she served prison time.

Cindy Wilson will speak on Monday, Nov. 4 at 6:30 p.m. Wilson previously wrote a book called “The Beautiful Snow” about Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Wilson is a sought-after speaker, having given talks to groups as large as 200 people, including the most-viewed talk of 2022 for the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library.

Wilson is listed among the credits of the PBS American Masters Laura Ingalls Wilder for assisting the staff with the history of the hard winter and finding related locations for filming.

The American College Health Foundation’s program (ACHF), which is part of a Clean Water Legacy grant is what led Heidi Schutt, the library director, to apply to help fund the Fall Author Series. Through City Council support, the library was awarded the grant. “Part of the grant is meant to help fund parks, art, and museums,” Schutt said. “The Council has been very supportive of the library’s programs in general”, she added.

“I am very excited for this series”, says Schutt, and mentions her passion for Minnesota authors.

According to Schutt, Lorna Landvik is ‘funny, heartwarming, and addresses hard topics in a relatable way.’

Schutt selected the authors wanting to create a variety so there is something for everyone. She encourages patrons to ask questions. One she is always curious to hear is the answer to “what do you like to read?” adding that it’s always interesting to hear the response and it opens the door to books they may not have heard of and are curious to read.

All authors will be in person at the library and it is free to attend.