Here are a few clips from last year’s event…

For Immediate Press Release

Keeping Time: Steve Misener’s Rare Collection of Historic Pianos

Clinton Memorial Building, Main Street, Clinton, MN 56225

April 18 – May 16, 2012

The Big Stone Arts Council is proud to present the country’s largest interactive, hosted piano exhibit, “Keeping Time.” This exhibit displays the design, engineering, and aesthetic beauty of pianos, featuring working models dating from the 1700s to 1950s. Guests are invited to play them. This event will be held from April 18^th to May 16^th in the Clinton Memorial Building in Clinton, Minnesota. Admission is free. Because there are no regional arts grants or legacy funds available for this event, there will be a donation basket to defray the costs of transporting the instruments, the use of the auditorium, and Steve Misener’s time hosting and travel. The Clinton Memorial Building is wheelchair accessible.

Curator Steve Misener will introduce this collection to the public while interspersing stories about the industry, composers, piano history, and colorful details of previous owners in centuries past. The scope of the exhibit provides expression to nearly all of the senses, from the majestic and sometimes rustic physical beauty of each instrument, to the emotional reaction to the music that each instrument can create.

Keyboard instruments are the most historic, broadest mechanism for performance with the piano being the cornerstone. Misener’s collection affords a rare opportunity to be able to hear the music of Classical and Romantic composers played on period instruments. The interactive nature of this display engages audiences, as participation is required to operate some of the instruments.  Mechanical details of the piano and reed organ will be discussed and the instruments can be partially disassembled for attendees to see the intricacies of design, physics of sound, and the incredible hand carved detailing of the cabinetry and marquetry that make the instrument a visual masterpiece. 

Misener has spent most of his life collecting and restoring pianos and organs, first as a passionate youngster, and then as a professional piano tuner and technician.  His inherent interest in all aspects of these instruments has grown his collection to 130 instruments and it continues to grow as he discovers and cares for more and more of these musical orphans. Misener’s personal collection is one of the largest collections in the United States.

To learn more about Steve’s historic piano collection, please visit http://stevemisenerpiano.com.

Please reserve your visit to this exhibit in Clinton, Minnesota, by contacting Steve Misener at: stevemisenerpiano@gmail.com  or by calling him at (605) 676-2355.

Check out the Chamber Calendar for all upcoming events!!

Like JoLee’s Trunk Sale (Trunk Show Flyer) going on this week in Ortonville.  Calendar link is at the top of very page of our web.

Reminder that border lakes – Big Stone Lake – has an earlier opener!

Check out fishing tournaments, fishing reports and the local water sports supplies at these links -

Fishing Reports:  http://schmidtslanding.com/

Water Sport Supplies:  http://www.gofasters.com/index.htm

Local Walleye Club Blog:  http://bigstonewalleyeclub.wordpress.com/

Check out all the local links on our website – and come enjoy the weekend (or a lifetime!) in the Big Stone Lake area!

It was a great weekend & we hope you had a Great Weekend!!

Thanks so much, here is a list of the Winners of the Raffle

Congrats to the winners of Raffle!!

42’ LG Flat Screen TV

Arlyn Loeschke

$100.00 Harman’s SV Gift Card

Bill Fischer

$100.00 Cenex Gift Card

Gordon Lindquist

Signed MN Twins Baseball

Mary Jennett

Zoo Tickets

Lorraine Conroy

Thanks!

Donnette Herberg

Big Stone Lake Area Chamber Director

[Show as slideshow]

• Barr’s /Conroy Electric
• Usborne Books
• Clinton Care Center

Details soon to follow…

Mark your calendars for the 19th Annual Sports & Leisure Show!

March 17th & 18th

To view the show flyer (PDF) – 2012 Sports & Leisure Show Schedule

The Museum will be expanding seasonal hours on April 1, 2012, to 5 days per week and as of May 1st open 7 Days per week.

The BSLA Chamber and EDA have Cyber Thursday – every Thursday at 2:00 at Java Jules Coffee House in Ortonville.  Stop in and check out how you can get that started!

Check out a few examples of our latest websites through this programs:

• www.javajules.com
• www.ortonvillegolfcourse.com
• www.hardwarehankortonville.com
  

To get started, first complete the application (link below), sign it and bring it to the Chamber-EDA office or bring it along and join us on Cyber Thursday!

Web Program Application

Have your lunch delivered on March 9th!

Delivering to Ortonville, Big Stone City & Odessa

Details are:
Egg Salad or Club Sandwich
Broccoli and Cheese Soup
Desert

Lunches prepared by:  Big Rock Bar & Grill, Big Stone City, SD

Cost:  $10.00  (payment will be picked up when delivered)

Deadline is Tuesday March 6th at noon
Proceeds for flowers for the whiskey barrels