Local entertainment briefs

BAXTER - The story of Dr. Harold Kletschka, a cardiovascular surgeon who earned international acclaim as a pioneer in the field of heart surgery, life and work, is told in the published biography "To Change the Heart of Man" by St. Paul author Dave Racer.

• Photos

Dr. Kletschka conceived and co-invented the permanent, fully implantable artificial heart and also co-invented the Bio-Pump that has helped save more than 20 million lives in the last 30 years.

A book signing and reception with Racer and Kletschka's sisters, Marjorie Peterson and Barbara Kletschka, who was the first human recipient of the heart pump, is scheduled from 12-3 p.m. Aug. 22 at Mills Ford in Baxter. A second book signing is scheduled from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Aug. 23 at St. Christopher's Church in Nisswa, where the Kletschka family worshiped.

Racer captures the Kletschka family history and Harold's childhood during the depression era in the Brainerd lakes area. Racer also weaves in Kletschka's military assignments with the United States Air Force, his groundbreaking international exchange of medical concepts with Soviet leaders during the Cold War and his establishment of the first publicly held medical research and development company.

The book is available for $24.95, plus shipping and handling, at www.KletschkaPublishing.com.

Staples Library to offer programs in August

STAPLES - The Staples Public Library is offering two creative arts programs in August. The programs were made possible by a grant from the Five Wings Arts Council with funds through the Minnesota State Legislature.

The first program - WonderWeavers Storytellers - is scheduled from 6:30-7:15 p.m. Aug. 13. The program will present a creative, interactive class about personal stories at the Staples Public Library. WonderWeavers Tina Rohde and Colleen Shaskin use props, songs and magic to bring stories to life. All ages are invited.

The second program - Watercolor Art - is scheduled from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Aug. 18. Children in grades three through six are invited. Artist Nancy Leasman will show children a variety of watercolor techniques to set them on the path to successful watercolor painting. Attendance limit is 10 and preregistration is required.

For more information on these program, contact the library at (218) 894-1401.

Book by ex-Brainerd resident released

RPM Books has announced the release of "Thinking Skinny" by Nadia Giordana of Champlin, a former Brainerd resident.

The book details how Giordana lost 88 pounds in 14 months without stomach surgery, pills or fad dieting.

Copies of the book are available at www.ThinkingSkinny.com.

Morris to perform at Staples Music in the Park

STAPLES - Kristi Morris will perform at 7 p.m. Sunday in the Staples Music in the Park series at Northern Pacific Park at 611 Iowa Ave. N.E.

Kristi Morris will perform at 7 p.m. Sunday in the Staples Music in the Park series at the Northern Pacific Park in Staples.

In case of inclement weather, the concert will move to Centennial Auditorium, 401 Centennial Lane.

Inspired by her Kentucky roots, Morris writes and sings about her life growing up on a farm in a family of 12. Her music is described as country, mountain, Americana-roots, folk and rock.

Morris has three CDs currently available. She has been published by Criterion Music in Nashville and her novelty song "Garage Sale" is featured on HGTVs "The Endless Yard Sale."

The Music in the Park Series is funded by the Staples Host Lions Club. The series is organized by the Staples Motley Area Arts Council, with the assistance of the Staples Motley Public Schools and the City of Staples.

For more information on the Music in the Park Series and other concerts in the area, check out the Staples Motley Area Arts Council's Web site at www.staplesmotleyarts.org.

Auditions set for 'The Sound of Music' at CLC

Auditions for the fall production of "The Sound of Music" are scheduled Aug. 15 in the Dryden Theatre at Central Lakes College in Brainerd.

Auditions will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 15 for children and from 2-5 p.m. for adults and from 2-5 p.m. Aug. 16 for adults and children.

The production will be staged at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1-3 and 7-10, at 2 p.m. Oct. 4 and 10 and at 10 a.m. Oct. 6.

This is the 50th anniversary of "The Sound of Music," which opened on Broadway in 1959. Dennis Lamberson, CLC theater instructor, who has designed the musical four times during his career, said in an e-mail that he is looking for "strong, energetic performers who have very few conflicts and work well with others."

The cast will include the following characters:

Maria, a bright, young woman of 24. In real life Maria Rainer had a master of education degree by the time she was 22.

Capt. Georg von Trapp, an Austrian WWI naval hero. He is a man of conviction, conflict and spirit (age 35-50.)

The Mother Abbess, a powerful singer with great stage presence (age 35 or older.)

Max, an opportunist playing both sides of the Nazi card. He has two great songs that help define the conflict of the stage play. The actor must have a comic flair (age 30-60).

Elsa Schraeder, a woman of means, president of a large corporation. Smart, fashionable, good looking. She has two songs and lots of stage time (age 35-50).

Liesl, 16, is the captain's oldest daughter and has been sheltered. The actress must be an excellent singer and dancer with ballet experience. This is an adult role.

Rolf, 17, is a young Nazi supporter. The actor must be an excellent singer and dancer. Also an adult role.

The children, including four girls who will look ages 5, 7, 9 and 13 and two boys who must look 10 and 14. They are mischievous.

Nuns age 15 and up with excellent voices and the ability to read music.

Non-singing roles include four to six Nazi soldiers over age 18, five men ages 25-70 and two women ages 21-60.

Prior to auditions, actors are asked to memorize and prepare a monologue from "The Sound of Music" and for a singing role perform either "My Favorite Things" or "Edelweiss."

Lamberson said the production is not a re-creation of the movie but rather the stage play. The stage production is a far darker and dramatic story than was presented in the film, he said.

For information, contact Lamberson at 855-8202 or dlambers@clcmn.edu.

Cornfest Celebration set in Backus

BACKUS - The Backus American Legion will celebrate the Cornfest Celebration with a Corn Fest Horseshoe Tournament at 2 p.m. Saturday. There is a $10 entry fee, with a 100 percent prize payback

That will be followed at 4 p.m. with the Bean Bag Tournament, with a $10 two-person team entry fee with a 100 percent payback.

Author Proebstle to be in Brainerd for several events

Author Jim Proebstle of "In the Absence of Honor" will be at a book signing from 2-4 p.m. Tuesday at Book World in Baxter.

Proebstle will be in the Brainerd area for several appearances, including for an interview Tuesday with 3WI and to give a presentation for the Brainerd Noon Rotary. On Wednesday, the author will give presentations to the Brainerd Sunrise Rotary and the Aitkin Lakes Area Rotary at noon. On Aug. 22, Proebstle will be at the Hackensack Art and Book Fair.

Proebstle's book explores money, power and greed in Native American casinos and is set in northern Minnesota. The story of murder, conspiracy, fraud and betrayal revolves around the conflict between two corrupt Ojibwe tribal council members and a wealthy brewery executive from the Twin Cities over an historically important piece of land.

Drawing on his knowledge of the area and its history, Proebstle has blended historical facts on the Minnesota Ojibwe and the headwaters land into this rapid-fire action thriller, barely giving readers a moment to catch their breath.

For more information on the book, go to www.intheabsenceofhonor.com.

Faber to host presentation Wednesday

CROSSLAKE -William Faber, a Central Lakes College natural resource instructor, will discuss Aldo Leopold's "Land Ethic in Today's World" from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Crosslake Community Center.

Faber will apply Leopold's philosophy to today's world.

The program is free.

Crosslake Chautauqua Poetry Seminar set

CROSSLAKE - The Crosslake Chautauqua Poetry Seminar - "Poems: A Tasting Session" - is scheduled from 9-11 a.m. Aug. 17 at the Crosslake Community Center.

The seminar is limited to 20 participants. Reserve a spot by Saturday by calling the center at (218) 692-4271. All materials will be furnished; just bring a pen.

The seminar is free. Participants will read and discuss great poems and several techniques will be used to reveal the poems' meanings.

Neidhardt retires from Staples Public Library

STAPLES - Viretta Neidhardt, branch manager of the Staples Public Library, has retired from the Great River Regional Library.

Her last day was July 28.

In an e-mail, Neidhardt said, "I have so loved working here, so this was a very difficult decision."

Neidhardt began with the Staples Public Library in 1994 and was managing the library when it affiliated with the Great River Regional Library system in 1997.

Branch assistant Tammi Walz has been appointed interim branch manager. Cathy Parish, branch assistant at the Eagle Bend Public Library, will provide additional staff support until a new branch manager is in place.

Organ recital canceled

The Summer Organ Series concert with Cori Wrobel that was scheduled at noon Wednesday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Brainerd has been canceled due to medical reasons.