Whisky Tasting

 

“May you live as long as you want and never want as long as you live”

A special tasting and seminar of Laphroaig as a fund raiser for the Rochester Public Library will be taking place on Thursday, March 8, 2012 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm at the Plummer House (1091 Plummer Lane SW, Rochester, MN)

Born in Tallahassee, Florida this true Florida native now calls the Midwest her home.  Well-known in the Minnesota/Wisconsin market Stacey has represented many of the leading Scotch brands in the spirits industry.  Today however, her true passion for the Islay region has paved the way to her present position  as  a Laphroaig Brand Ambassador and Official Minnesota Protector of the Peat.

For more than 10 years Stacey has lead hundreds of presentations for consumers and now focuses her area of expertise in Scotch whisky tastings for bartenders, social organizations and novice scotch enthusiasts alike.  Both informative and entertaining,  her presentations have made her an in-demand speaker and spokesperson.

Stacey’s love of Laphroaig  will not be mistaken as she walks you thru the fascinating and seductive world of Scotch whisky.

Slainte!

Wit, Wisdom and Wine

John Kruz and Heather Engh from Blue Moon Ballroom will be demonstrating the Salsa at the 11th annual Wit, Wisdom and Wine fundraising event on Saturday, January 14, 2012.

Salsa and Latin Dance

John and Heather, dance instructors at the Blue Moon Ballroom,  will introduce you to the exciting world of Salsa & Latin Dance.  They will give a hot demonstration, a fun lesson, and explain the background and health benefits of Salsa & Latin Dance. Did you know that the average person can burn 420 calories in one hour dancing Salsa? Anyone can learn to “Salsa”, so join John and Heather to find out how you can have fun and stay fit at the same time.

Tracy McCray will be presenting at the 11th annual Wit, Wisdom and Wine fundraising event on Saturday, January 14, 2012.

20 years with Tracy McCray

After twenty years on the airwaves at KROC FM and AM along with the last few years as the Talk of the Town columnist for the Rochester Post Bulletin, Tracy McCray has just about heard it all. She’ll discuss the best and worst guest stories, the most memorable on-air gaffes (there are more than she’d like to remember!) and the most asked questions. PLUS you get to ask your own questions too.

Lee Aase will be presenting at the 11th annual Wit, Wisdom and Wine fundraising event on Saturday, January 14, 2012.

Social Media

Lee Aase is director of the Mayo Clinic Center for Social Media, a first-of-its-kind social media center focused on health care, which builds on Mayo Clinic’s leadership among health care providers in adopting social media tools. Mayo Clinic has the most popular medical provider channel on YouTube and active, popular outposts on Twitter and Facebook. With its News Blog, podcast blog and Sharing Mayo Clinic, a blog that enables patients and employees to tell their Mayo Clinic stories, Mayo has been a pioneer in hospital blogging.
By night, Lee is Chancellor of Social Media University, Global (SMUG), a free online higher education institution that provides practical, hands-on training in social media for lifelong learners.

Summer Fundraisers

The Foundation and Friends of the Rochester Public Library held two fundraisers in the Plummer House on August 9th. This was a perfect venue, wonderful gardens and even the weather cooperated with sunshine and cool breezes! We had specific goals in mind, as the library needed to replace a children's computer station and cd/dvd cleaning equipment needed updating. We were able to raise funds towards both projects thanks to our loyal supporters and patrons. Plus we all had a great time! Both events have photo albums on our facebook page.
The first event was Cool Reads for Hot Days, as an ice cream social with a local author Elissa Elliott who provided great discussion points with her recent book Eve, and her new writings. We appreciated that she donated books for door prizes. There were wonderful silent auction items and bucket raffles of books as well. We also showcased some new items of Library and literary stationary, notecards, notepads, notebooks and matchbook pocketbook notepads, many handcrafted from re-purposed books.  A lovely Friend decorated both events with flowers from her garden! These were transferred to and graced the Library.

The second event, Brews and Clues, was held in the evening with local author Paul Koeller talking about his family experiences in the brewing industry in Wisconsin. It was a fascinating informative talk, and not nearly long enough, but there was beer to sample! Over 40 different types, with some lovely casual foods (huge thank yous to Andy's for the RootBeer and welcoming Beer, Coldstone Creamery for the icecream, Just Rite Foods for the Cheeses, Trader Joes for the pizza) and the Friends who both provided nibbles and smoothly ran the event! Paul also donated a book for a grand prize, as well as part of the proceeds from his book sales that evening. Please note that he also supports a college scholarship with the rest of his proceeds. Several other local business supported this event through the silent auction (see our album descriptions). We hope to make this the FIRST ANNUAL event, and that we will see you all next summer. The Library needs our support, and you get to have a lovely time!

Brews and Clues - Registration Update

We realize that the opportunity to taste almost 50 beers could be quite, how do we say... a little more intoxicating than normal tasting sessions usually allow; we are allowing designated drivers to get into this event for free! *
Each beer sample is a 2 oz pour so you will be able to pick a number of samples. This is an opportunity for you to discover new beers and new tastes at a fraction of the price of each beer. Some of these beers go for $15/bottle!
*Some people think three is a crowd but for us, three is the magic number. Purchase two tickets for the event and you can bring your very own designated driver who will get their fill of 1919 root beer, a wine spritzer, or other soft beverages.
This is a special opportunity for online ticket sales since we are not advertising this anywhere else!
The deadline for early bird registration is Friday! Register now! No tickets are given out, when registering, please provide full names for your entire party (even your designated driver) for the list at the door.

Cool Reads for Hot Days - August 9th

COOL READS FOR HOT DAYS
Tuesday August 9th, Plummer House from 11am to 1.30 PM
ICE CREAM SOCIAL
with book and writing discussions with Ellissa Elliott

This Library fundraiser (through the Friends and the Foundation) is to help purchase a new/replacement children's computer. We have a very active Children's division, accounting for 35% of the total library circulation. In addition, last year alone, over 15,645 children and parents attended various programs. The library's programs and materials help young children learn important pre-literacy skills so they can become good readers and succeed in school.


We currently have 3 well-loved Little Tikes computers in Children's that are in constant use. Oftentimes, children are vying for position. They have only learning games on them with appealing characters and bright colors--game titles include: Millie's Math House, Trudy's Time and Place House, and Sammy's Science House. The computer station itself is attractive, with brightly colored child-sized components including: small mouse, lightweight child bench, and a flat child-friendly keyboard. The "house" for the computer system is made of a tough, durable plastic that can stand up to long-term use (over 7 years). Our two oldest computers were worn out from constant use and replaced by generous donations. We currently have a 3rd unit that we would need to update. The picture shows the appealing unit. Please help us achieve this goal. If you cannot attend our Cool Reads for Hot Days icecream social, please consider making a donation. We appreciate your efforts.

Cool Reads for Hot Days - Save the Date

The Friends and Foundation of the Rochester Public Library will be hosting an Ice Cream Social on Tuesday, August 9 at the Plummer House.
This is a benefit for the Rochester Public Library with the proceeds from this event to be used in the Children's section, specifically to purchase a Little Tykes Computer. Help us attain this goal. 

We are pleased to announce that Elissa Elliott, local author of Eve and  a contributing writer for  Books and Culture will be speaking at this event. She will speak from noon to 1pm.

There will be icecream, rootbeer (1990) and assorted biscuits to beat the heat!

This should be a lovely social event - plan to meet your friends!

We will also have books for sale (especially cookbooks and tradesize paperbacks), silent auction items and bucket raffles. More details will follow, so watch this space!
The cost is $25 per person, and space is limited to 40 people. Please respond by 5 August.

Clues and Brews - Save the Date

The Rochester Public Library Foundation is holding a summer fun"d"-raising event.

Join us at the Plummer House for a casual mysterious beer-tasting event.
Tuesday, August 9
6:00 - 9:00 pm  
$30.00 in advance $40.00 after August 5.



August has few literary events associated with it so we decided to create our own. Somewhat to our surprise other organizations have been pairing beer and literature for some years now. Here is your chance to celebrate various mystery authors born in August while discovering a wide selection of brews, some of which have been featured in classics.



You may register online or by mail to secure your spot.
Space is limited to the first 75 people who register.

Are you attending? Facebook it! 

Cool Reads for Hot Days - Save the Date

The Rochester Public Library Friends and Foundation are holding a summer fun"d"-raising event.
Join us at the Plummer House for a literary ice cream social event.
Tuesday, August 9
11:00 am- 1:30 pm
$25.00 in advance $30.00 after August 5.  

August has few literary events associated with it so we decided to create our own. A local author, Elissa Elliott, will be discussing some of her creative writing and publications. In addition, there will be books for sale from the Friends Bookstore as well as silent auctions and prizes.

You may register online or by mail to secure your spot.
Space is limited to the first 40 people who register.

Are you coming? Facebook it!

Literary Contests

After a successful contest series last summer we’re continuing a literary theme. New contest kickoff: We are looking for new wine tags for the Rochester Public Library wine. Wine tags are the eye-catching bling that complement the library wine labels. Creative entries will be considered for future wine labels as well.

Topic: “Well Bred, Well Read!” Submit a photo of your dog for a chance to win a bottle of library wine. Deadline: May 27, 2011. (June’s contest will be a well-read cat.)

Must be 21 years of age to enter this contest. See official rules.

Speaking of Library Wine… it’s still for sale at Andy’s Liquor stores. For every bottle purchased ($9.99) a $1.50 is donated to the Rochester Public Library. You can also get a case discount! (That’s 12 bottles of great labels – mix and match.)

In July we will be having a contest for summer beach reads. This will be a chance to win a free ticket to an ice cream social on Tuesday, August 9, 2011 at the Plummer House. Details will follow.

Seminar and Irish Whiskey Tasting Benefit

There are a few seats remaining for the Irish Whiskey tasting event NEXT WEDNESDAY the 13th of April! The weather looks to be promising so the pipes will great you as you walk to the Plummer House entrance. There are fabulous bucket raffle items that will feature our Library wine, great books and many other items. We will have an ecclectic collection of older books for sale from our Unusual and Special Book Sellers (in the Plummer Library). Breads and Cheeses have been donated by Just Rite Foods. And a Great Whiskey Ambassador from Jameson will host the evening. A FINE time will be had by all if the recent Tartan Day benefit is anything to go by (see photos)! This event is only $20 per person (register at hwmciver@gmail.com), a tax deductible donation to the Library, and all proceeds directly benefit our local community.

 A regional selection of either beer or single malt whiskies were sampled in a tour around Scotland (on different nights!). Donated monies will support the Rochester Public Library reading programmes.



Jameson Irish Whiskey Tasting

Another chance to try out your Celtic tastebuds! An Irish Ambassador from the Jameson Whiskey Group will be in Rochester on Wednesday the 13th April. This is a great chance to experience the range of their whiskies (some of the biggest sellers in Minnesota!). AND help support our local Library - proceeds will directly benefit the Rochester Public Library Reading Programmes. We appreciate this opportunity for a fun and educational evening.

The Rochester Public Library Foundation held its 10th Annual Wit, Wisdom and Wine gala fundraising event on Saturday, January 15, 2011. This unique event, which raised about $25,000 had a record number of 250 attendees. Throughout the evening, each attendee had a chance to listen to their choice of two speakers, socialize over wine and light refreshments, and outwit/outbid each other in the silent auction.
The Friends donated a number of silent auction items including many of the books that graced the other silent auction items. Friends also contributed to the success of the evening.
This year’s speakers had topics for everyone ranging from Economics, Politics, Pirates, Art, Music, and of course, Wine. The silent auction offered great items that were all donated by local library enthusiasts. There were piles of books, lots of wine, art prints, airplane rides, tickets to Minnesota Wild, and even a wing-backed chair up for bid. Gift certificates for CounterPoint, Great Harvest, zPizza, and even a psychic reading were also on the auction.
The raffle winner of a piece of jewelry donated by Hight & Randall, Ltd. was Bruce Snyder. His wife, Vicki, chose the ring as her prize. Congratulations to both of you!
If you missed it this year, mark your calendar now for the 11th Annual Wit, Wisdom and Wine event which will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2012.
This event wouldn’t be as successful as it is without the volunteers who help the night of the event, the donors who supply us with silent auction and raffle items, the attendees who come to the event and those who bid on the silent auction items and purchase raffle tickets, and of course our sponsors:
BridgeStreet World Wide and Think Mutual Bank were the main co-sponsors of the event.
Other sponsors include: Andy’s Liquor, David & Lois Marris from Keller Williams Realty, Associated Bank, Davies Printing, DoubleTree Hotel, Daubes’ Cakes and Bakery, Hight & Randall, LTD, Barbara and Phil Henoch, Lasker Jewelers, Nigon Woodworks, Inc., US Bank, Windsor Financial, Paustis Wine Company, Finca Flichman Winery, and Anakena Chile Winery.

Wit Wisdom and Wine Foundation/Friends/Library Event 2011

For a recap of the 10th Annual Wit Wisdom & Wine fundraiser for the Rochester Public Library, please view the new photos the library's Flickr  site and check out the library blog!

Wit Wisdom & Wine fundraiser

Oooh Shiny! This year's 10th Annual Wit Wisdom & Wine raffle on January 15, 2011,  features the winner's choice of one of three pieces of jewlery donated by Hight & Randall, Ltd.

Wit Wisdom & Wine fundraiser

Registration information is now available for our 10th Annual Wit, Wisdom & Wine fundraiser for the Rochester Public Library Foundation.

This entertaining and intellectual fundraising event features a variety of speakers.  Attendees select two class choices to attend. Wine and Hors d'oeuvres will be served throughout the evening, with special wine tasting and refreshments following the second class.

Wit Wisdom & Wine fundraiser

Oooh Shiny! This year's 10th Annual Wit Wisdom & Wine raffle on January 15, 2011,  features the winner's choice of one of three pieces of jewlery donated by Hight & Randall, Ltd.

18 karat white gold Art Nouveau arrow pin with 25 square cut channel set blue sapphires weighing approximately 0.75ct and 22 single cut bead set melee diamonds weighing approximately 0.25ct, circa 1930. This piece weighs 4.6 grams.

14 karat yellow gold antique revival style filigree ring containing 37 round brilliant cut diamonds weighing approximately 0.52 ct, H color S12 clarity.

We are grateful for the generous support of our event co-sponsors:

Additional Sponsors:

Andy's Liquor	Associated Bank
Daube's Cakes & Bakery	Davies Printing
Doubletree Rochester Downtown	Barb and Phil Henoch
Hight & Randall, Ltd., Personal Jewelers	Lasker Jewelers
League of Women Voters	David & Lois Marris of Keller Williams Realty
Nigon Woodworks	US Bank
Windsor Financial Group/David Koch

Proceeds are used to support the mission and vision of the Rochester Public Library Foundation.

Wit Wisdom & Wine fundraiser

Registration information is now available for our 10th Annual Wit, Wisdom & Wine fundraiser for the Rochester Public Library Foundation.

This entertaining and intellectual fundraising event features a variety of speakers.  Attendees select two class choices to attend. Wine and Hors d'oeuvres will be served throughout the evening, with special wine tasting and refreshments following the second class. 

A Celtic Evening Silent Auction Items

 Silent Auction item: Friends of the Library book bag, t-shirt, BraveHeart DVD, and 6 hard cover books. Over $50 value!

Silent Auction item: A Celtic Christmas. Donated by Artistic Framers - 16 3rd St SW.  The World Santa framed Celtic Art only is valued at $90.

A Celtic Evening Silent Auction Items

 Scottish tea set with Edinburgh blend tea, Campbell's shortbread fingers, and a Morris tea cup will be in the Silent Auction.

Books about Scotland will be in the Bucket Raffle and Silent Auction.

Haste ye here!

A Celtic Evening Bucket Raffle Items

 Arran (Scotland) aroma therapy spa treatment available on the bucket raffle.

Books about Wales and their Celtic connections. This item will include a Welsh love spoon (see the display case in the library or on our photo album pages.