The time is two billion years ago. The places could be Hovland, Minnesota, the continent of Africa or an archipelago in Stockholm, Sweden. The music is made possible in part by a grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council through an appropriation from the Minnesota State Legislature and The McKnight Foundation. The setting is the Cross River Heritage Center in Schroeder, Minnesota.

The opening of the Cross River Heritage Center and the subsequent summer programming and exhibits are guaranteed to take its visitors places. For starters, a locally curated exhibit about experiencing the geology of Northeastern Minnesota’s North Shore area bring us back to the creation of fossilized algae stirred with the ingredients of jasper some two billion years ago. Finland, Minnesota geologist Jeff Dickson and avid rock hound has assembled groups of rocks stirred up one to two billion years ago. The exhibit opens May 22 at the Cross River Heritage Center. A good way to begin the belated spring and summer season here on the North Shore is to appreciate the rock we see everyday on this prehistoric geological outcropping called the North Shore area of northeast Minnesota. The geology exhibit will run throughout the May-October season. Look for related rock hound programs at CRHC.

And who better to bring life to the rocks of the North Shore than through the watercolor paintings of Hovland, Minnesota artist David Hahn. Mr. Hahn’s watercolors embrace the beauty of the rocks, water, forests and vegetation of this area. David Hahn will be exhibiting his watercolor paintings in the Fireplace Room at the Cross River Heritage Center from May 22- June 22.

Other programming events for the month of June include two concerts provided through a grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, book signings and a summer long photography exhibit by an internationally acclaimed photographer.

On Friday June 5 from 6:30 -8:30 entertainer Paul Deaner will sing with his Martin guitar. Deaner is a recipient of the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council 2007 Maddie Simons Award for his work founding the Lake Superior Community Theatre. Paul’s present artistic love is singing with his Martin guitar. He will be backed by Andy Skalsky who according to Paul is “one heck of a musician and guitar picker.” The concert will break for a reading by local author Kirsten Stasney. Stasney is the author of the recently released book, Thy Father’s Will. She will be signing her book at The Cross River Heritage Center from 6:30-7:30 June 5. Look for another with Kirsten Stasney program later in the summer. The concert is free.

Another big event featuring the phenomenon of Highway 61’s North Shore is scheduled for Sunday June 14. Harpist Georganne Hunter will be performing a concert in two parts beginning at 1:30 PM. Her concert is provided by a grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council. At 2pm the Schroeder Area Historical Society will hold its annual meeting. This year the speaker is Cathy Wurzer, author of Tales of the Road: Highway 61. Wurzer will be available to sign her book after the meeting. The Cross River Heritage Center and the community of Schroder are featured in Wurzer’s book. After the meeting Harpist Georgeanne Hunter will resume her concert. Hunter has honored a facet of the natural history and geology of the North Shore with her first solo CD Stoney Point.

The end of June brings a grand finale for the month with the opening of the exhibit of the photography of Anders Bjorling. Anders will display photography of the North Shore of Minnesota, Sweden and from a recent trip to Africa. Bjorling’s opening reception will be held Friday June 26 at 6:30 pm at the Cross River Heritage Center. Bjorling’s exhibit will run through the summer season. Look for more program information later this summer.

On July 18, 2009 the Schroeder Area Historical Society will host the sixth annual Lundie Vacation Home Tour. This year the Lundie sites include”Shorecreek” cabin and guesthouse, Lundie’s own cabin, and the “Olson” cabin and guesthouse. Other significant sites will include earth friendly construction, Scandinavian styled vacation home and guesthouse, “East Bay” modern timber frame construction and “The Tree House”.

Dale Mulfinger (author, architect, Cabinologist) will be at the Cross River Heritage Center for a talk and signing of his books, Cabinology, and the recently reprinted The Architecture of Edwin Lundie. This fundraiser for the Schroeder Area Historical Society, a 501(c)(3) organization. A donation of $150 includes the tour and picnic on the Ledge Rock.(Music, dinner and beverages). Information and reservations 218-663-7706.