Baudette Depot Grand Opening to feature Unique Door Prizes

The Grand Re-Opening of the Baudette Depot, set for Oct. 21-22, will feature “unique” door prizes. The door prizes will be on display at the Baudette Region for one week prior to the grand opening. The prizes include a “glicee” print of an original watercolor by Norma Herring (a summer resident and member of LOW Art Guild) featuring our beautiful “Northern Lights.” This approximately 12”x17” framed print may be hung on the wall or displayed on an easel donated by The Furniture Gallery. Our next prize is a “train case” donated by Noble Drug. Many of you may remember when a set of luggage included the “train case” – where you carried all of your special items. Ours will be filled with accouterments for your next “train” journey – reading and writing materials, snacks, and other treasures. A 50”x70” custom Canadian National tapestry blanket, woven with the highest quality yarns, strong and durable, will be our third door prize. This blanket shows a mountain scene with a CN train crossing a bridge with water and woods in the background. Our fourth door prize is a beautiful pictorial book called Only in Minnesota which captures the diversity of the state of Minnesota. Only in Minnesota reflects the people, nature, attitude, and spirit of the Land of 10,000 Lakes. And our last door prize will be one of our fabulous “Cupcake Bakeoff Baskets.” To enter the drawings for the door prizes, guests will be asked to make a “free will donation.”
As mentioned in earlier articles, the Depot Preservation Alliance has divided the Grand Re-Opening into three segments to better accommodate our guests. Friday night will be a thank you to all of the people who have worked on the project this year as well as representatives from our major funding sources and supporters – without them, we couldn’t have done it. Saturday from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. will be a special reception primarily for our current members, past directors, and past crafts persons. We want to recognize our members and past directors and crafts persons who give or have given of their time, talents, and resources to help this project move forward. A special time has also been reserved for the general public from 2:30 – 5:00 p.m. on Saturday.
During all three sessions, our guests will be able to view the restored Baudette Depot. The craftsmanship by the team from Anderson and Hammack has been phenomenal. Guests will also be invited to view the new and original works exhibited by the Lake of the Woods Art Guild, discover Scott Murphy’s interpretation of our “cultural heritage” via a mural in the former “fine ladies’ waiting room,” hear various musical artists perform, and enjoy light refreshments.
Some work will continue after the grand opening. The major transportation and settlement exhibit opening is planned for the summer of 2012. Information will also be available regarding the business space and apartment rental opportunities. Both spaces should be available in a couple of months. An “Old Fashioned Christmas at the Depot” is planned for December 10 (more information coming soon). Timeless Treasures, a flute, harp, and violin group from Bemidji will be performing in February/March. A “professional artist development workshop” is tentatively scheduled for February/March. Work is also underway on a Baudette Depot website.