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Gateway to Knowledge Guest Post #15

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This is the 15th in a series of guest posts by Abigail Van Gelder (from a stop Nov. 12–13 in Willmar, Minn.), who with her husband, Josh, is journeying across the country on the Library’s “Gateway to Knowledge” traveling exhibition:

I wrote from Mankato that we were hoping the weather would cooperate with us.  Well, I wouldn’t call three inches of snow cooperating.

On the second day of our event in Willmar, MN, old man winter dumped on us all day.  That didn’t discourage our guests from trudging though and coming to see the exhibit.

Not that snow is anything new for Minnesotans. Josh and I lived in the Twin Cities for a few years, actually, until we started traveling with MRA.  Besides, I am pretty sure that any Minnesotan that would let cold weather bother them flew south a long time ago.

There aren’t many things that make me nervous.  I’m a pretty adventurous person, but being asked to do a live radio program took me by surprise.  When Todd Bergeth from Willmar’s KWLM Talk News invited me to come on and chat about the Gateway to Knowledge tour, I had no idea how I would fill the 45-min program.

My mother would roll her eyes here; as she puts it, I am blessed with the gift for gab.  While being interviewed for the tour is nothing new and I have done live TV, going into a radio station was a first for me.  I have to admit I was very nervous.  Luckily, Todd was a joy to work with and took it easy on me.  Honestly, it was fun; it’s easy to see how someone would love doing it for a living.

Packing up the exhibit was cold, soggy work for this one.  The stuff was pretty much stuck to anything on the windward side.  This job is not always as glamorous as you might think.

Comments (7)

  1. I would like to hear some more about the exhibits you are “carrying” and the reactions that they generate. Since we may not see the big rig out west or a while (Colorado) I’ll have to live vicariously through the oohs and ahs of your visitors. Thanks!

  2. I would love to find out more about the scavenger hunt one visiting class did. Is there anyway to get a copy of it in preparation for the Gateway’s visit to our town?

  3. The Exhibit is coming to our town and the Grosse Pointe Public Library is looking for an engaging exercise for kids. I love the idea of a scavenger hunt. Is it possible to get a copy or can you tell me how to find one?? Thank you so much — time is limited – it is coming in two weeks! Thanks for any help

  4. I’m with @Anne… Details please!

  5. Has the bus ever traveled to Savannah, Georgia? If not, how do I request a visit? This is a good time of year to travel in the South-it’s not as hot as the summer, and there’s a great need for information like this.

  6. Good Morning:

    I was just looking over some of the information in the Library of Congress and came across the information on the Gateway to Knowledge.

    I live in Lakeland Florida and agree wih Gigi. Florida is a great place to be in he Winter… Beats trudging through the snow.

  7. The Exhibit is coming to our town and the Grosse Pointe Public Library is looking for an engaging exercise for kids.

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