First Posted: 2/29/2012
It’s February 29 – so happy Leap Year …and Sadie Hawkins day. Al Capp’s wonderful cartoon series where a woman could chase after the guy she wanted to marry and pop the question Feb. 29 always made me chuckle. That comic strip was fun to read, but not everything I read as a kid would ever be labeled as a “fun” read.
One of the most memorable short stories I read as a young teenager was Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery.” It is my recollection of this story that makes me understand why the trilogy “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins has been a New York Times best seller and a “can’t put it down” series among young adults.
So, I have a special alert for all you young adult readers out there who have devoured any or all of the three books. The Lackawanna County Library System is hosting an exciting evening called Hunger Games. It’s on Saturday, March 24 from 5:30 -7:30 p.m. at the riverfront Sports Complex ( 5 W. Olive St, Scranton). It sounds exciting; the library web site indicates there will be competitions both fun and fierce, light refreshments, and great prizes (movie passes, Hunger Games merchandise, and other surprises). The organizers have indicated that some of the competitions will involve archery, dodge ball, an obstacle course and there’s even going to be an event involving cookie decorating. Admission is simple: just present your library card and a non -perishable food item. If you don’t have a library card, you can sign up for one that night. To register or find more information, go to <albright.org> and click on “library event'” or call 348.3000, ext. 3041.
Now, to focus on the Dalton Community Library. Those of you who are most observant may already have noticed something new in the library. If you can’t readily identify it, the next time you come to the library, look on the wall directly behind the circulation desk. You’ll see a brand new electronic bulletin board which will be “fully operational” sometime in March. Joe Gibbons, the director of public relations for the Lackawanna County Library System will be placing system- wide announcements on the board. So if you miss a newspaper article or community note about a current library event at any one of the county libraries, you’ll find it highlighted on this new bulletin board. Keep watching for the very first announcement!
Gardeners alert! The Friends are beginning to plan their annual Herb Festival which will take place in May. The Friends will be selling herbs and perennials (in pots and ready to be planted), will have a presentation focusing on herbs, and will also be raffling many baskets often filled with garden related items. The first planning meeting was held Feb. 27 at 5 p.m. If you are interested in helping with this delightful event, please give Janet Geeza a call at 563.2014. If you would like to donate a perennial from your own garden or a basket, we’d be delighted to have you join us.
The remaining library news is not really new, but just a reminder of all the events that occur at our library on a weekly or monthly basis. The pre-schoolers’ story hour with master story teller Janet Geeza takes place every Tuesday at 1 p.m. Guest “artists,” assisted by Celeste Cali and Janet Geeza work with our Kreative Kids (4th -6th graders) every Monday afternoon at 4 p.m.
MahJong (Mondays at 10:15 a.m.) and Bridge games (Tuesdays at 10:15 a.m.) continue to attract many players and those who are anticipating playing Euchre again should contact Janet Geeza after March 1.
Conscious Conversation participants have began a new approach to their weekly meetings (Tuesdays at 5 p.m.) – movies followed by a discussion once the movie has ended. Right now, they are watching “Schindler’s List” and would be delighted to have more adults join their group.
And last, but certainly not least, is Saturday Spotlight which generally meets at the library on the last Saturday of each month at 10:30 a.m. On February 25, the participants discussed Thomas French’s “The Zoo Story: Life in the Garden of Captives” which focuses on the animals and their caretakers in Tampa’s Lowery Park Zoo. Dr. Patricia Gross facilitated the discussion. March’s book (discussion Saturday, March 24) is “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot. Ms. Lack’s cancerous tissue cells have been responsible for some of the most important medical advances in the 20th century, yet her cells were used without her permission. In addition, her family never learned of the use of her cells until 20 years after her death. Skloot’s work challenges readers to consider the moral issues involved in scientific research and the impact this research has on all of us.
That’s it for this month. Here’s hoping I see you at our library!