Paint hit the canvas on Friday, March 28, during the Historical Society’s Friday morning coffee and discussion with artist Lance Albers. The Fergus Falls Daily Journal printed a copy of the original artwork for all to enjoy or hate - be that as it may. It’s a painting that can get a reaction across the spectrum of emotions. It has hung in the museum’s saloon exhibit since the early 1980s. This project will cost just over $3,000. Contribute $250 or more and you will receive a quality print. Checks can be make out to the Otter Tail County Historical Society and mailed to 1110 W. Lincoln Ave., Fergus Falls, MN 56537.

Fergus Falls Daily Journal Article by Tom Hintgen

An added bonus of the photo printed on the Journal is one of three Charles Beck prints we have hanging in the museum library. It is directly behind Lance.

More information with date and time will be forthcoming…

Dan Ford himself, the author, will be leading our discussion on April 21 at noon! This exciting news is made possible by the National Endowment for the Arts which is sponsoring The Big Read in Fergus Falls, Elbow Lake, and Pelican Rapids this year. He plans to tailor his program to our community, adding information about our own hometown boy, Einar Mickelson – namesake for the Fergus Falls Municipal Airport. Copies of the book are available for sale in our gift shop.

We are looking for volunteer help researching Otter Tail County’s 1,000+ Civil War Veterans. Interested?? Email kevavold@otchs.org

Doug Hoverson, author of Land of Amber Waters will be in Fergus Falls at Barringer’s Coffee House on Saturday, April 19, at 5 p.m. to give a program and tasting. Admission is $12. Seating is limited. To reserve a spot, please call the Historical Society at 736-6038 or email cschuelke@otchs.org

Our March/April Newsletter should have reached the mail boxes of our members. It is full of the upcoming programs and activities which will be taking place this spring and into the early summer season. For more information check out our Events/Programs page of our website.

Everyone is invited to our Friday morning program on April 4, at 10:00 a.m. to hear the author of the book, Chinese in Minnesota. This is part of the Why Chose Otter Tail County Series that goes hand-in-hand with our 2008 temporary exhibit We Chose Otter Tail County. Volunteers of the Historical Society are invited to stay for goodies following the program in appreciation of all they do for the historical society.

Stop by and check out all the new merchandise in our gift shop. It is full of unique gifts and many book titles. Check it out or call our gift shop manager for more information.

We invite you to read Flying Tigers: Claire Chennault and His American Volunteers, 1941-1942 by Daniel Ford. The Fergus Falls Municipal Airport is named for Fergus native and Flying Tiger member, Einar “Micky” Mickelson. Formally called the American Volunteer Group, members of the Flying Tigers were World War II aviators who flew missions protecting traffic on the Burma Road supported Chinese troops fighting against the Japanese. Mickelson later joined the Chinese National Aviation Corporation. He died on a flight form India to China. A book discussion is scheduled for Monday, April 21, Mickelson’s birthday, at noon in the our library. Click here to see our Record Article: Einer Mickelson, Flying Tiger