Booked for Lunch - December 2008

This year the Pioneer Memorial Library added a special December - Booked for Lunch. We did readings on both children and adult materials. We learned how universally accepted the song of Silent Night is among the nations. The food and fellowship was also very good!

Halloween at Pioneer Memorial Library

Library Patrons and Staff had loads of fun dressing up just for Halloween. Children's Librarian, Judy Kleinsorge and Melany Wilks, Library Director dresses up as Thing 1 and 2 (part of the Cat and the Hat, Dr. Seuss book). Children received candy inside a mummy. The children learned that the mummy just loved to "get all wrapped up in a good book."

Libray In Motion - Middlers Travel to Dancing Leaf: Cultural Learning Center

Middler youth of Colby participated in the Library in Motion event organized by Children’s Librarian, Judy Kleinsorge of the Pioneer Memorial Library. Funds were donated to help with the cost of the trip through the Thomas County Attorney Special Law Enforcement Fund at the Thomas County Community Foundation and the Friends of the Library organization. Students arrived on Saturday morning October 11th ready for a few hours of travel and the possibility of a cold and wet day. This however did not damper their enthusiasm or spirit. Together the adult chaperons and youth traveled to Wellfleet Nebraska to visit the Dancing Leaf: Cultural Learning Center. There, we were intrigued by discovering new knowledge about the ancient existence of the Paleo Indians, prehistoric mammals and dinosaurs. Les Hosick, the owner created memorable pictures of how ancient mammals such as elephants and rhino type animals would have roamed the Southwest Nebraska and North West Kansas area 10,000 years ago. During this presentation he showed us tusks, teeth, jaw bones, and even leg parts from this time period. His story then turned to the Indians known as the Upper Republican Culture. We had the extreme pleasure to actually sit inside a replica of an earth lodge that archeological evidence shows existed from the time period 800-1300 years ago. Les Hosick made the way of life and traditions come alive for us, as we considered this ancient culture as more stable and less migratory in nature. He demonstrated the efficiency of the lodges, the matriarchal traditions of the tribes, the games and ways of hunting. We then took an hour walking tour around the hillside, creek and general area learning about medicinal plants, hunting, water being the source of life, and the gift of trees and animals to their very existence. Youth were able to make musical instruments, find out about different types of food sources, including both plant and animal. We were taken to the top of one hill where a medicine wheel was recreated to examine the cycles of life as they apply to the moon and the sun. At the end of the tour we were given a rare privilege by being taken into their private home where we literally pounded yucca leaves flat in order to make friendship bracelets. Some of our youth were expert in this, while others like my self needed remedial leaf bashing assistance! I must say–that yucca plant fibers become very strong when a natural twist is allowed to form. Even two weeks later my bracelet shows no sign of weakening. This was what the lesson was about. Friendship was to remain strong even in the midst of difficult circumstances and hardship! Once our friendship was established we ate food that might have been eaten by Native Americans: buffalo stew, raw vegetables, homemade (blue) corn muffins, and hot sliced baked apples, topped off with ice tea. If you are interested in experiencing this, take an online tour at http://www.dancingleaf.com/index.html. There you will find pictures, and information even about staying overnight in the earth lodge. I intent to go back and take others along!

October 2008 Booked for Lunch

The library held it’s second “Booked for Lunch.” The author Doris Johnson discussed two books she had written, Gutsy Women and The Cookie Crumb Trail. There were 50 attendees who enjoyed explanations about why Doris chose the women she did in her book. Since Doris grew up in Brewster, many of the women in the book were from this area. We also enjoyed a few stories along the way. Next month’s (November) “Booked for Lunch” will be presented by Janice Frahm, on the book Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson.

New Sound Sytem Donated by Secrest Foundation part of Thomas County Community Foundation

The PML's new sound system was used in our first Booked for Lunch September 2008. We have used it numerous time during several different events sponsored by the Pioneer Memorial Library. It has made the use of the basement area so much better. Patrons and staff have enjoyed using the system to present workshops and special events without the need for extra training.

Activities during Summer 08

Bongo Barry encourages crowd to get the beat!

The Pioneer Memorial Library in Colby was a-buzz this summer as they served over 1200 people through the Summer Reading Program activities. The activities included storytime/activity sessions (five each week), four special events, the Reading Challenge Game, and the “Black-Out” party for those who completed the reading game (26 of them did!).

The highlights of the summer were the special events made possible by the generosity of area sponsors. The Bug Juice Jamboree with Thad Beach kicked off the summer at the library on June 5. Everyone settled in around the campfire at Camp Bugaboo for hilarious original participatory songs and traditional sing-alongs. This program and the books, supplies, snacks and party were funded through the support of the Friends of the Pioneer Memorial Library.

On June 19 the Butterfly Pavilion of Westminster, Colorado presented Summer Safari: Live Bugs to a crowd of 175 people. Everyone got up close and personal with live insects, spiders and other arthropods from around the world. This visit was made possible through a grant from the Midwest Energy Community Fund.

Then to start the Fourth of July weekend off with a bang, Bongo Barry of Healthy Sounds from Overland Park was on the stage in the library parking lot on the evening of July 3. Over 135 people brought lawn chairs or blankets and settled on the lawn east of the library for an interactive program entitled Buggies with a Beat. This program was supported by a generous grant from the Thomas County Attorney SLEF Fund from the Thomas County Community Foundation.

The final event was held July 17 and engaged a large crowd. The 2008 players of the Reader’s Theater presented Ladybugs and Gentlemoths: A Bug Collection. Local middle-school youth presented an amusing and entertaining collection of skits and poems.

Written by Judy Kleinsorge - Children's Librarian