Editor’s note: This is the first in a two-part series.
Books of Christian inspiration, memoirs, family history and art: At least 13 of the 73 members at Kildahl Park Pointe Cooperative have collectively put in hundreds — if not thousands — of hours composing manuscripts of various genres.
While the number of writers living under the same roof may seem rather extraordinary, several members of Kildahl are “not surprised at all” — like Joan Olson. “Northfield is a pretty articulate community,” says Olson.
Fred Gonnerman agrees and believes that the combination of having two colleges in town and the strong international awareness of Northfielders “heats the oven” for writers.
And according to Doug Crane, the generation of people living at Kildahl Park Pointe (age 55 and up) was raised with books, not TV, and read often, which may also result in the desire to write.
Read further to learn what some members who reside within one small community in Northfield have accomplished through writing, and look for part two of “Authors about at Kildahl Park Pointe” in the Dec. 16 issue of the News.
Larry Christenson
Background:
Lutheran pastor, Bible teacher, author, speaker
Several titles published including:
• “The Christian Family” — A Christian-based book explaining God’s plan for families and how to carry it out; a bestseller with two million copies published
• “The Wonderful Way Babies Are Made” — Children’s book written for two age levels on the same page
• “The Heartless Troll” — An operetta performed in civic theater, written while Christenson was a student at St. Olaf College
Where to find:
Most of Christenson’s books are available through St. Olaf and Carleton bookstores and online
Richard ‘Dick’ Beckmen
Background:
Pastor, author, spiritual director, speaker
Several published works, including:
• “Jesus, My Consolation” — Most recent book, published in October
• “Time For Us: A Day-By-Day Journey Toward Spiritual Intimacy in Marriage” — A devotional book for couples co-authored with wife, Solveig
Where to find:
”Jesus, My Consolation” available at Monkey See Monkey Read; all Beckmen’s books available online
Reidar Dittmann
Background:
Grew up in the same Norwegian village as art expressionist Edward Munch; imprisoned in the Buchenwald Concentration Camp from 1943-45 for joining the Norwegian resistance; employed as art historian at St. Olaf for 48 years; speaker on the Holocaust
Several published works, including:
• “Witnesses to the Holocaust” — Contributed a chapter about his experiences of the Holocaust
• “Eros and Psyche” — An exploration of Munch and the Swedish expression dramatist August Strindberg
Where to find:
“Witnesses” and “Eros and Psyche” available at the St. Olaf Library; all Dittmann’s books available online
Fred Gonnerman
Background:
Pastor, assistant director of publications for the Parish Community of Lutherans, author, photographer
Titles published:
• “Getting the Word Out: The Alban Guide to Church Communications” — A multi-denominational guide on how to write for church bulletins and newsletters; won the Religion Communicator Council’s “Best in Class for Writing” award
• “Growing Up Poor” — a topical-based memoir written for his family
• Working on two photography books: “Openings” — A study of windows and doors shot while in Europe, juxtaposed with writings; and a book of macro photography which isolates small pieces of individual landscapes that “becomes a world all by itself”
Where to find:
“Getting the Word Out” available online
Gail Sudman
Background:
Newspaper business
Titles published:
• “Reflections: Short Stories Essays and Poetry” — Memories, family stories, poems and quotations; co-authored with two others
Where to find:
Available online
— Brenda Ward writes features and may be contacted at 645-1117 or bward@northfieldnews.com.
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