this summer!

Second Annual Pie Baking Contest!

Chef John Michael Lerma
with 2007 Pie Champ

Last year, we had such a good time raising money for the Park Rapids Library with our pie baking contest, hosted by celebrity chef John Michael Lerma, that we’re doing it again this year! We’ll be accepting pies between 9 and 11 AM on Friday, July 4th. There is a $5 entry fee. We have four divisions for the pie contest, including a junior division for kids 8-12. Judging will be done this year by Chef John Michael Lerma, Chef Tom Geraedts, former Beagle Books owner Jill Johnson, and Library Manager/Children’s Librarian Becky Walpole. The winner in each division will win $25 and a $25 gift certificate to Beagle Books/Sister Wolf Books. One of the four winners will be chosen as “Best in Show” and will win an additional $100, an additional $50 gift certificate to Beagle Books/Sister Wolf Books, and a prize basket of pie accessories worth over $200. At the end of the judging and awards, all the pies entered will be raffled off in front of Beagle Books. All the money from the raffled-off pies, plus the contest entry fees will be donated to the library. Last year we raised over $500. Our prizes this year have generously been donated by: Park Rapids Chrysler Center & Thielens Motors (cash prizes), an anonymous donor, and Chef John Michael Lerma. Come join in the fun!!!

Dog Day of Summer: The Nature of Dogs and The Dog Says How

Photographer Mary Ludington and Kevin Kling signed copies of their books, The Nature of Dogs and The Dog Says How, respectively, to a crowd of dog lovers and plush dogs.

Shaping Minnesota's Identity illustrates the pressures and choices Minnesotans have faced in their 150-year history.