Jon Hassler fund-raiser planned

Jon Hassler, one of the state's most well-respected authors and a former Central Lakes College instructor, will appear Aug. 17 at CLC as part of the scholarship fund-raiser, "An Afternoon with Jon Hassler." The event will start 1:30 p.m. in the cafeteria with a program at 2 p.m. featuring Hassler's friend, Joe Plut, and a light buffet at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20, with RSVP requested by calling (218) 855-8129 or e-mailing dscearcy@clcmn.edu.

A silent auction will include autographed copies of Hassler's 12th novel "The Staggerford Flood" (2002), the sequel to his breakthrough novel "Staggerford" (1977). Auction items include paintings by Rose Edin and Evelyn Matthies, tickets to the Guthrie Theatre, and dining and beverage items.

Hassler, 70, taught at CLC when he began his career as a published author at age 37. He then joined the faculty at St. John's University in Collegeville. He continues his craft in retirement after 42 years of teaching in Minnesota high schools and colleges.

In 2002, Hassler was chosen as Minnesota's favorite male adult literature author by the Minnesota Humanities Commission People's Choice Awards. In 2000, Hassler received the Distinguished Minnesotan Award from Bemidji State University.

CLC offers class on Hassler

Joe Plut, a retired instructor from Crosby, will teach a course on novelist Jon Hassler this fall at Central Lakes College. The course will run 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 9, 16 and 30, Oct. 14 and 28, and Nov. 11 and 18, in the Business and Industry Center. Tuition is $89. For registration information, call (218) 855-8142 or 800-933-0346.

Plut created the course several years ago as a result of his longtime friendship with Hassler. Plut is considered Hassler's most ardent promoter, and few people know Hassler as well as his former colleague at CLC. Five Hassler novels -- "Staggerford," "A Green Journey," "Dear James," "The Staggerford Flood" and "Grand Opening" -- will be read and discussed.

Plut has interviewed Hassler about each of his novels, and the interviews will be used as the background for each novel. Each session will include lecture, class discussion and small group discussions. The TV film, "The Love She Sought," based on Hassler's "A Green Journey," will be shown, and the discussion will include comparisons of the novel and the film.