Baudette train depot set to reopen

A recently overheard conversation in one of our local stores regarding progress of the Baudette Depot Project reminded me that it has been awhile since our last column. Plus, with our Grand Re-Opening only a month away, it is time to share with all of our readers what has happened, what is in progress, and what’s coming up next.
First of all, we really want to thank all of you who have respected the desires of both the contractors and the Depot Preservation Alliance asking you to hang on to your curiosity until the grand opening – both in terms of liability and in cost containment. Progress by the Anderson and Hammack team has been amazing. Much work remains to be done so the next month will be exceedingly busy for multiple crafts persons at the depot – it will be a genuine beehive of activity right up to the end!
Our plans for the Grand Re-Opening remain on track. We will be sharing a bit more information with you for each of the next three to four weeks. First of all, we have decided to divide the celebration into three segments to better accommodate the various groups of people involved in the project – and to provide our guests more space for viewing the restored Depot and to enjoy the arts at the depot.
Friday, October 21st, will be a “Thank You to All of Our Partners.” Our “partners” have been defined to include all of the crafts persons who have worked on the project since Anderson and Hammack began the restoration project back in January, 2011. Additional partners include our major sponsors, funders, and supporters. That event (beginning about 4:00 p.m.) will include an official ribbon-cutting ceremony, speeches, opening of the Lake of the Woods Art Guild Exhibit, Unveiling of the Cultural Heritage Mural, 30-Word Poetry Contest viewing and voting, refreshments, and entertainment by the Slough Grass Band of Birchdale, MN. Invitations to the “Thank You Event” will be mailed this week.
Saturday, October 22nd, a “Members, Past Directors, and Past Crafts Persons Special Reception” will begin at the Depot at 12:00 noon. We want to invite and thank all of our 2011 DPA Members as well as all of the past DPA Directors to participate in a special two-hour reception featuring light refreshments and railroad music by Jerry Brademen of Bemidji, MN. Crafts persons who worked on the project prior to 2011 will also be invited to this special reception. The art exhibit and cultural heritage mural will be open for viewing along with the 30-Word Poetry Contest entries for viewing and voting. Special invitations will be mailed this week to our 2011 Members, Past Directors, and Past Crafts Persons.
Saturday, October 22nd, beginning at 2:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. will be a “General Open House” to which all area residents and visitors are invited to tour the Depot. The art exhibit, mural, and poetry entries will all be open to visitors. Light refreshments will also be served during this time. During the general open house, Mike Birkeland (and perhaps others) will present a limited selection of music by the band “Witness” (of which he is a member). “Witness” (from Duluth, MN) will be presenting a concert later that evening at 7:00 p.m. at the Evangelical Covenant Church (east end of Baudette). The concert will be a “free will donation” and open to the public.
The Depot Preservation Alliance has received a beautiful “Northern Lights” giclee print from summer resident Norma Herring as our main door prize. We will also have at least two other door prizes plus prizes for the poetry contest. Entries for the general door prizes will be by “donation.” In the following weeks, we will have more details on the Lake of the Woods Art Guild members/projects, musicians, and door prizes.