I almost forgot to mention it, but if you have some free time this afternoon and are near Virginia, Minnesota, I will be speaking at a St. Michael’s Foundation free seminar from 2-3 p.m. I will highlight some of the themes from my book “Overburden: Modern Life on the Iron Range” including some new material and updates. The talk has continued to evolve from when the book came out. It’s like jazz. Smooth Iron Range history and socioeconomic jazz, with jokes. There will be a brief discussion afterward. A copy of “Overburden” will be given away as a door prize.
The event is at the St. Michael’s Health and Rehabilitation facility at 1201 8th St. S. Though that may sound like a nursing home, and it very much is, these events are open to the public and draw a wide range of audience members. I have been told this.
I’ll also be speaking to the Mesabi Unitarian Universalist congregation this Sunday morning at 10 a.m., also in Virginia. Same kind of deal, but there will be a more involved discussion afterward and probably some cold cuts. I try to make these things fun and thoughtful, and a good audience makes them even better. Join us, would you?
Does the book just look at the Mesabi Range or does it include the Cuyuna Range?
I talk a little about the Cuyuna. It’s more of a creative nonfiction approach, talking about the attitudes and ideas that emerged from Iron Range history and how they apply today, sometimes well and sometimes not. It’s been dubbed “histro-tainment.” Not sure if that’s good or not, but probably accurate.