Canastota Public Library News
By Beth Totten
(Canastota, NY- March 2015) With spring in the air, our library is feeling the need to talk about all things outdoors. We’ve got lots of news regarding our Seed Library and a scheduled talk on raising chickens. We hope you will check out our books on planting a garden and other resources on planting and farming that we have available.
Our Canastota Seed Exchange will open on April 1. The Canastota Seed Exchange lends seeds to its members at no cost. When you grow and save your own seeds, you develop a seed stock that is well suited to our climate. And, starting your plants from seeds is a cost effective way to get lots of plants, quickly. If you want to grow that great, rare heirloom tomato you’ve been hearing about, or a whole bed’s worth of hot peppers, starting from seed is the way to go. Stop in and join the Seed Exchange and select some heirloom seeds for your spring planting. We will have lots of varieties to choose from and can provide you with ideas for your garden.
Are you thinking about raising chicken? You really need to talk to a poultry expert. On Tuesday April 14 at 7 p.m. join us as we learn about “Raising Happy and Healthy Poultry” from Stephanie Schieferstine.
Stephanie and her family raise chickens, dairy cattle, pigs and even show horses. She has lived in the Vernon/Verona area for more than 27 years and has worked for Pohl’s Feed for 10 years. She and her family have raised poultry for more than 10 years and her three children show poultry through 4H.
Stephanie’s husband has raised chickens nearly all his life as he grew up on a local dairy farm. If you are planning to start raising chickens or already raise chickens and just want to hear a great presentation, please plan to attend this one at the Canastota Public Library. Bring your questions, share your interest and get in on the fun and rewards of raising your own flock of chickens.
This month, we will have two art exhibits at the library. The first exhibit will be held in the Lawson Community Room. The artists for the month are the teachers and staff of the Canastota High School.
According to Sean Dwyer, organizer for the event, the exhibit will be a dynamic and varied collection of works by various members of the Canastota school system.”
An Artist’s Reception will be held on Tuesday, April 7 from 3 to 4 p.m.
Our second artist show will be held in our Crow’s Nest area of the library. Canastota High School Senior, Rachel Bargabos will display her Senior Art Show on the first and second floor of the library beginning the first week of April. Rachel loves working in pencil and her drawings show a real eye for detail.
An artist’s reception will be held for Rachel on Tuesday, April 7 beginning at 6 p.m.
On Monday, April 13 at 7 p.m. the Library will host the Awards Ceremony for the Rebecca Eddy Memorial Writing Contest. The contest, organized by Joan and Doug Eddy, is a memorial to their daughter, Rebecca. Awards will be offered in two categories, poetry and short story and in four age divisions. The age divisions include age 10 and under; 11 – 14 years, 15-18 years old and 18 years and older. Every entry will receive a certificate of appreciation for entering. All first place winners will receive a cash award of $25. Second place winners will receive a $10 cash award. The community is invited to the ceremony where participants will have an opportunity to read from their works.
Author William R. Farrell will present, “Stops along the Erie Canal” on Monday, April 27 at 7 p.m. Farrell’s talk is a part of the Canalside Talks sponsored by the Canastota Canal Town Museum and the Canastota Public Library. This presentation is visual and includes stories, legends, anecdotes and the history behind some of the most recognized stops on the Erie Canal. Ferrell will take you from Buffalo to Albany during this interesting presentation.
Each of the Canalside Talks lasts about one hour and is followed by a short question and answer period.
The Book Chat Group has selected “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee as their discussion book for the April Meeting. Copies of the book are available now from the library. The Book Chat will meet on Tuesday, April 28 at 1 p.m. in the Carnegie Room on the second floor of the library.
“To Kill a Mockingbird” was published in 1960. It was immediately successful, winning the Pulitzer Prize. The primary themes of “To Kill a Mockingbird” involve racial injustice and the destruction of innocence. Scholars have noted that Lee also addresses issues of class, courage, compassion, and gender roles in the American South.
The Night Time Knitters meet every Thursday evening at the Canastota Public Library from 6:30 until 8 p.m. The Library Knitters meet every Friday morning at the Library from 10 a.m. until noon. Both groups are interested in having knitters of all experience levels join them for knitting in the Lawson Community Room, Lower Level of the library.
Baby and Me Lap Sit with Miss Angela is a program full of story reading, finger plays, songs, rhymes and more to stimulate your infant to 24 month old child. This program is held every Wednesday morning beginning at 10 a.m.on the second floor of the Canastota Public Library.
Thursdays at 10 a.m. is Preschooler Storytime. Bring your preschooler for stories, games, crafts and a snack. This group meets on the second floor of the library each Thursday morning.
The Library is located at 102 W. Center Street, Canastota.
For more information, call us at 697-7030.
For more information on these events and our regular weekly programming, go to www.canastotalibrary.org and click on the Mid-York Calendar of Events.