Candace Simar returns with her Award winning Abercrombie Trail Series

Candace Simar is a writer and poet from Pequot Lakes, Minnesota, in the heart of Lake Country. As a life-long Minnesotan, the grandchild of immigrants, Candace nurtures a passion for Minnesota History. She is the author of the Spur Award-winning Abercrombie Trail Series that combines Candace's love of history intertwined with stories of her Scandinavian heritage. 
"Birdie", part of the Abercrombie Series, received the 2012 Spur Award for best juvenile fiction and is set in the west. "Blooming Prairie", also part of the series, was honored as a finalist for the 2013 Spur Award. "Farm Girls" was co-written with her sister, Angela F. Foster, a memoir written in poetry and prose that celebrates growing up on a Minnesota dairy farm “Shelterbelts” chronicles the life of a community struggling to return to normal after war, “Dear Homefolks” a collection which includes frontier stories, memoir pieces, poetry, several pieces set in modern times.

Candace’s latest book “ Escape to Fort Abercrombie.” a YA novel set in the 1850’s at the time of the Great Sioux Uprising, a tale of a young boy who is caught in the middle of the tragedy and havoc, and must save his siblings as they try to get to safety. 

You just might need one of these on your counter! Welcome Jeff Burger!

I make pots to use. My home is on open field and wooded land that has been passed down through my family in northern Minnesota. In the early 1900’s it was the logging town of Farley, Minnesota. It’s a beautiful spot.

Here in my studio I throw pots. I’m lucky to work both inside and outside. As soon as I have enough greenware ready, I cut and split wood, load the kiln, and prepare for the day-long firing. When a mug or plate or casserole finally comes to the table it’s a good feeling .

I have always used wood and metal and clay to create houses, ukuleles, stoves, and pots. I’m happiest when I build something or puzzle out problems so pottery serves me well.

Woodfired pots have always captured my attention and in 2011 I decided it was time to head in that direction myself. I thank Linda Christensen for her valuable input on the kiln I built and for running the first wood firing with me.

I regularly exhibit in juried shows and participate in art fairs throughout Minnesota. You are welcome to visit my studio showroom here in Turtle River

Visit Jeff’s website: https://www.jeffburgerpottery.com/

Meet Deborah Jacobs

Deborah Jacobs is a publisher and poet living in Nisswa, Minnesota. She has been a literature professor, a restaurateur, an arts administrator, a long-term caregiver, and a professional singer. In October 2018, she founded Danielle Dufy Literary, dedicated to celebrating and promoting short-form literature—poems, short(!) fiction, essayettes, and more. Under the imprint, French Press Editions (“portable, affordable, collectible literature”), she publishes the quarterly anthology, Stone Gathering: A Reader. French Press Editions are sold by subscription, but single issues are retailed through independent booksellers and hand sold at fairs and festivals.

One of these would look great in your garden!

Bird Brain Birdhouses

Barry Nelson has always been interested in birds, although didn’t start building birdhouses until about 6 years ago. He worked on quite a few houses until he came up with this design. Barry wanted something that looked unique compared to other designs I had seen. These are functional homes for birds and where ever they will be placed, either yard, garden or your home, they will certainly add interest. These birdhouses embellished with sticks and driftwood are made from barnwood and ceiling tins that are 100 years old.

'Finding the Beautiful You'

Lisa Cassman is a licensed counselor, author, licensed minister and speaker. A Minnesota native, she has more than 20 years experience counseling children and families in the church, as well as working with sexual abuse and domestic violence victims at a crisis center. She  has a cosmetology license and currently is an owner of a spa.

Cassman has written three books, released by Halo Publishing International, about marital relationships. “The Road Less Traveled: A Guide to a Positive Marriage,” was inspired while on a road trip with her husband, Steve, in his semi-truck traveling along the West Coast. From her professional experience, she pours her inspirational insight and her own personal understanding of relationships into her work and guiding others through marriage.

Her book, “The Light in Your Eyes,” was written across the last 30 years. It documents Cassman’s journey into what love means, as her husband showed her, starting when they were hopeful teens.

Her newest book, “Finding the Beautiful You", was written to help women and teens find their self -esteem and value according to what scripture says.

In addition to her books, Cassman is a speaker at conferences, churches, workshops and seminars. Her self-worth seminars teach men and woman how to like themselves and receive healing through God. She also does pre-marital counseling for couples and trains them how to like themselves, so they can have a successful marriage. As a licensed, traveling minister, Cassman officiates over 30 marriages a year.

She has a master’s degree in Christian Counseling from the Pastoral Counseling Center, which is accredited through the National Christian Counseling Association (NCCA), and is also certified to administer the Arno Profile System (A.P.S.) report, which is a personal identification/inventory.

She and her husband have four children together and eight grandchildren. You can book Cassman as a speaker or wedding officiant by visiting www.LisaCassman.net.

It is a delight to have John Warren return!

Renowned High Arctic bush pilot, Don C. Braun, a native of St. Cloud, MN, and first to land a wheeled aircraft at the North Pole, would share stories of his arctic adventures at the drop of a hat, most often at family gatherings. “Someone should record these stories,” relatives would say as Don was nearing his 80th year. Writer John C. Warren, who married into the Braun family, stepped forward and was able to transform Don’s life story into a fascinating true-life adventure book. Don passed away before the book was published, but his fame as one of the premier high arctic bush pilots lives on today. Don’s fireside narrative of close calls and life in the High Arctic is laced with humor and total honesty. The “Arctic Fox,” as he was known in the North, was superbly resourceful, bailing out of tight situations in his years of High Arctic flying. This is your book, pilots, and all others who love flying. Now in soft cover, this handsome 244-page book includes 32 pages of photographs. Author Warren, who lives in Walker, MN, has been a regular at the Northwoods Art & Book Festival the past 10 years. “I get to meet so many interesting people who, like me, love anything and everything about aviation and the High Arctic. The Art and Book Festival is so well organized, and it is really a joy to attend and participate, whether you are an author or book-lover – or both!” says Warren.

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Meet Konsor Woodworking!

Konsor Woodworking is excited to participate in Northwoods Art & Book Festival for the first time this year! Wes enjoys woodcrafting during his spare time. Participating in craft fairs is an outlet for sharing the fruits of his labor and meeting some wonderful people. From barn wood framed cedar hope chest to birdhouses to planters to home decor, the local barnwood and refurbished wood is mostly "harvested" by us. Everything is assembled by hand. NEW 2019 ITEM: bandana style shirt savers for special needs individuals. Shirt savers are also known as adult bibs. Jeanne prefers shirt savers. ;) These shirt savers are made for her nonverbal wheelchair bound nephew and enjoys providing these to others. These shirt savers are very fashionable, durable, and reversible. The shirt savers are cut, sewn, and snaps added by hand.

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Pat Bluth - Shares her story on hope and healing

Pat Bluth is a wife, bereaved parent, licensed family therapist, grief facilitator, author and speaker.  Following the death of her 17-year old daughter, Tammy, by a drunk driver Pat co-founded Mothers Against Drunk Driving in her County.  Pat is a trained victim advocate.   Pat’s passion has been spending her time educating and changing attitudes about drinking and driving.  As a certified Toastmaster, Pat has spoken to thousands sharing her story of hope and healing.  Pat speaks from her heart and has brought hope to many who thought life was hopeless after a tragedy.  

Her Book, From Pain to Peace – A Journey from Rage to Forgiveness is Pat’s compelling story tracing her journey from rage to forgiveness and healing.  Discover how love and forgiveness can conquer and win over bitterness and rage.  Our deepest hurts can be healed with God’s help.

Welcome Bernadette Johnson

I am excited to participate in the Northwood's Art and Book Festival for the first time this August.  I have created a unique line of hand-crafted sterling silver and gold jewelry inspired by the beauty in natural stones. My journey of creating jewelry started in elementary school with stringing beads and has evolved into smithing gold and silver settings for the beautiful and unique stones and fossils that I love to collect. I work in my home studio, with the support of my family, to create unique one-of-a-kind pieces of wearable art.

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Crazy Leaf Photography is on their way back to our Festival!

Crazy Leaf Photography is a small nature photography business in Chaska, Minnesota and the artwork of Benjamin and Carolyn Pogatsnik. We specialize in unique nature photos from around our beautiful state. Yes, all of them; all from Minnesota. Photographing “L’Étoile du Nord” or “the star of the north” is, and will forever be, a grand adventure. 

We handle the entire process and creation of our products ourselves. We print all our own images, we cut our own matboard, we also frame many of our images and use photographic canvas stretched over stretcher bars to create gallery wrapped prints that literally pop off of the wall. 

My wife and I spend the summers traveling around the state sharing our photos at art fairs. We spend our nights, weekends, and vacation time hiking, canoeing, camping, and enjoying the great outdoors. The rest of our time is spent at our "real jobs".  My wife and I are both teachers and love educating youngsters as much as photography. I think that’s the reason we love participating in art fairs so much, we get to meet all sorts of people who share our love of the outdoors and photography and get to teach them about our work, our techniques, and about the places we’ve seen and the things we have experienced. My favorite thing is when we have young photographers who spend hours in the tent pouring through every image soaking up inspiration. What they don’t realize is that they inspire us to keep working, to improve our craft, and to get out there and make more great photos. 

Welcome back Colin Mustful!

Colin Mustful is an author and historian whose unique storytelling style combines history through fiction. His most recent book, Resisting Removal, tells the untold story of the Sandy Lake Tragedy of 1850. This is Colin's second time as a part of the Northwoods Art and Book Festival. He enjoys the festival because it is a great chance to meet readers and talk with them about Minnesota's interesting and complicated history.

Meet the Little Brothers and Sisters of the Abbey

Alpacas

Although these two cuties won’t be at our Festival…luxurious products will be available for you to purchase

Did you know?  Alpaca is seven times warmer than wool; it is softer than cashmere and is hypoallergenic.                                  

One of the world’s most luxurious fibers, it is prized for its unique silky feel.  These rare and amazing animals lived in extremely high elevations, with cold climate and under harsh conditions where other domestic animals could not survive.  They developed a coat with microscopic air pockets that yields a high insulation value for light weight but extremely warm garments.

This cashmere -like fleece has long been known as the “Gold of the Andes”.  For thousands of years in the Peruvian highlands, this fleece was reserved for Incan Royalty only.

The Abbey now offers this wonder fiber to you.

Our award-winning yarns come in 22 natural colors together with many authentically dyed shades for knitters, spinners and weavers around the world.

Our on line store has scarves, gloves, hats, socks and a variety of alpaca clothing perfect for the cold Minnesota winters.

Let the Little Brothers and Sisters of The Abbey wrap you in warmth and luxury this winter.

The Abbey now has 12 alpaca and 5 cria (babies) are expected this summer.

Mark your calendars for the Northwoods 24th Annual Art & Book Festival

Mark your calendar August 10 from 9-3 to be in Hackensack, MN for the Northwoods 24 Annual Art & Book Festival. This year we have some tremendous talent lining Lake Street, in the Community Building and the United Congregational Church over 55 artists and 35 authors, live entertainment will fill the air with music.

Authors presenting ‘Murder She Writes Again and Again’ 11:00 am.m in the UCC presented by the Sisters in Crime Twin City Chapter. Make and Take Lake Art in the Children’s Art Tent will bring out the creativity in your children. Stroll the Festival with a glass of wine or a cup of beer, or take a break from shopping and grab a bite to eat from one of the food trucks or a slice of pie from the ‘Church Pie Ladies’ with a cup of coffee all while taking in the entertainment of "Wayne and the Boys". Keep Saturday, August 10 open - there will be something for everyone!

Josh Duffee and his Big Band was a sold out event!

Wow! What an exceptional two evenings we had in Hackensack! Josh Duffee and Linnea Saddler were outstanding, and the Orchestra never fails us. We were treated to acapella and solo’s by Linnea’s talented children-simply fabulous! Thank you Josh and his Big Band, Linnea and her children for sharing your incredible talent with us. Check back for more pictures in our Past Festivals and History tab.

Meet Josh Duffee's vocalist Linnea Saddler

Linnea Saddler - A native of the Quad Cities area, Linnea has been involved in vocal music for most of her life. She “brought down the house” with her solo, “These Are My Children” in the Moline High School production of “Fame.” She’s currently music director at her church, sings professionally part-time, and teaches vocal strategy, technique and performance. Linnea gains strength from music and her faith, and shares those passions with her 3 children.

Josh Duffee in Concert with his Big Band Friday, July 12 and Saturday, July 13

Josh Duffee - Based in Davenport, Iowa, Josh has been living his dream of being a professional musician and band leader for the past 20 years. He is a featured artist at jazz festivals and concerts world-wide, but his love for the Hackensack area brings him back each year. He's an accomplished jazz historian and is considered by the families of musical greats like Louis Bellson, Bix Beiderbecke, and Jean Goldkette to be a personal friend. Josh will also entertain you Friday and Saturday evenings by relaying stories about the famous First Ladies of Song and their music. www.northwoodsartscouncil.org

Do not miss this show! Josh Duffee and his Big Band return to Hackensack July 12 and 13

Josh Duffee and his Big band return to Hackensack with an energetic two night festival. “The First Ladies of Song” - the iconic female vocalists of the Big Band Era, such as Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, Peggy Lee and Anita O’Day just to name a few will be portrayed by guest vocalist Linnea Saddler. This is a show that will be different each night singing between 20 - 25 vocals between the two nights. Not to be missed is the fan favorite - The drum performances by band leader Josh Duffee who will be performing on one of the drum sets owned by famed drummer Louie Bellson, who played with the likes of Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey and Duke Ellington. Tickets on sale now. www.northwoodsartscouncil.org

Josh Duffee and his Big Band Return!

For the fifth summer, Josh Duffee and his big band return to Hackensack for a two day music festival July 12th and 13th at 7:30pm at the Hackensack Community Building. This year the spotlight shines on “The First Ladies of Song”, the female vocalists of the Big Band Era, who include Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, Peggy Lee and Anita O'Day. Each night the shows will feature different music. Guest vocalist for both performances will be Linnea Saddler, Duffee's classmate at Moline High School, Moline, IL.  Another music festival highlight will be drum performances by Josh Duffee, band leader and professional percussionist. He will perform on one of the drum sets owned by famed Louie Bellson.

“First Ladies of Song” tickets are now available at Southside Fuel Plus, Swanson's Bait and Gas in Hackensack, the Flea Market at Sacred Heart Church on July 10th, and on the NAC website www.northwoodsartscouncil.org.  Tickets sell quickly so you are encouraged to get your tickets early. 

Josh Duffee and His Big Band Tickets On Sale Now

Congratulations to our 23rd Annual Art & Book Festival Winners!

Thank you to all the attendees to our 23rd Annual Art & Book Festival. All the artists and authors were thrilled with our attendance. We worked very hard behind the scenes this year to bring you a bigger and better Festival. 

LEFT TO RIGHT DON HOUSEMAN 'STUFF ON PAPER', JIM KNUTSON - KOLODZNE, BECKY SEEMAN, BOB SEEMAN, AND LYNNE FISHER - NOT SHOWN, HEIDI TRETBAR

Congratulations Winners!

Spirit of the North

1st Place - Jim Knutson - Kolodzne - American Indian Center

2nd Place - Don Houseman - Stuff on Paper

Most Creative

1st Place - Lynn Fisher - KaJo Inscriptions

2nd Place - Heidi Tretbar - Heidi's Renewed Rubbish

Best of Show

Becky and Bob Seeman - Artwoods Creative Jewelry and Wood