‘Overburden’ tour explores northern edge of the Iron Range

Below is the press release for my Tuesday night lecture and book signing at Vermilion Community College. Ely by starlight makes for a great evening. Stop on by!

November 18, 2008
Press Release
For Immediate Release

Aaron Brown, Author of Overburden: Modern Life on the Iron Range, to speak at Vermilion Community College on Tuesday, November 25 at 7 p.m.

Aaron Brown, the author of the new book, Overburden: Modern Life on the Iron Range, will speak at Vermilion Community College in Ely at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 25 in CL104, the lecture hall in the classroom building.

Brown is a fifth generation Iron Ranger who chose to return to the Range to make a life for himself and his family. He teaches Speech at Hibbing Community College and is the former editor of The Hibbing Daily Tribune. In his autobiographical book he reflects on what it means to be an Iron Ranger by examining the history, politics, economics, and culture of the area. Brown’s program on Overburden will resonate for rangers who will recognize themselves in the stories he tells about growing up on the Range. His story will also be of interest to people who want to gain a greater understanding of the central importance of the Iron Range in the history of the United States.

In an interview on the blog, MNBlue, Brown explained: “I wrote this book mostly as a way for my generation of Iron Rangers to begin seeing this unique region in northern Minnesota for what it really is and what it could really become… Today, there is new opportunity, even more if you consider the possibilities of the Internet and our high quality of life and low cost of living…But like the iron ore under the ground, extracting opportunity and growth from rural Minnesota will require hard work, perseverance and time.”

Coffee an’ will be served, and Aaron Brown will sign copies of his book following his lecture. The program is cosponsored by the Ely Winton Historical Society and funded by the Brunfelt-Sainio Memorial Fund for the Public Humanities through the Vermilion Community College Foundation. For more information contact Pam Brunfelt at 218-235-2136 or p.brunfelt@vcc.edu.