GaryOsberg.com

Good morning from Collegeville,

Fall is in full swing in central Minnesota. This is perhaps the Saint John’s arboretum’s most celebrated season, with vivid oranges and reds framing the crisp, blue lakes.

This fall, as visitors travel to Saint John’s they will likely notice another stunning addition to the arboretum. Artist Patrick Dougherty, along with students, staff, faculty and alums who volunteered their time, constructed an impressive sculpture of sustainably harvested saplings from the arboretum entitled “Stickwork.” The fantastical house-like structure proudly stands at the arboretum’s entrance, inviting visitors to take a look inside before enjoying the rest of the natural area. Inspiration for the design came from the famous Stella Maris chapel located across Lake Sagatagan. The structure includes five whimsical chapels all leaning together and surrounding an inner courtyard.

“We wanted things to look a little off-kilter,” Dougherty said. “We didn’t want them to look pristine, because nature is not quite pristine.”
St. John’s “Stickwork” sculpture joins over 230 similar projects created by Dougherty across the world. His work has also been featured at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chanhassen in 2010.

This week’s APHC show is live from the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul. Garrison Keillor will be joined by special guests singer/songwriter John Fullbright and vocalist Holly Jones. Tune in to enjoy the Royal Academy of Radio Actors, The Guy’s All-Star Shoe Band, and the news from Lake Wobegon.

The Paramount Theater in downtown St. Cloud is celebrating the opening of their season with a gala tomorrow night. The Fabulous Armadillos will perform “Staying Alive”. So dig out that white polyester suit and come on down. Tickets are still available at 259-LINE.

“Autumn, the year’s last, loveliest smile.” –William Cullen Bryant

PS. This week’s note was written by Ellen Newkirk, MPR Intern.