By Elizabeth Totten, public relations director
(Canastota, NY – Dec. 2014) Have you made any resolutions for the New Year? Have you always wanted to be more creative? Have you decided to learn about local history or history in general? Have you set goals to live healthier in 2014? If so, you will want to stop at the library for some great Jan. programming.
The library will kick off the year with a wonderfully creative quilt display by the Canastota Canaltown Quilters. The Lawson Community Room will be filled with awe-inspiring quilts created by this local group of quilters. There will be 10 exhibitors ranging from novice to expert and the quilts will be a variety of sizes with varying subject matter. If you’ve thought about learning to quilt, this group meets at the Canastota Legion on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month at 9:30 a.m. Interested individuals may call Martha Wetzler at 697-5652 or just stop in at one of their meetings. You can also meet the quilters at a special Artist’s Reception on Thursday, Jan. 2 at 7pm at the library.
If you want to live healthier this year, you should attend a special book review and discussion on Tuesday, Jan. 7 at 6:30 p.m. Drs. Maggie and Len Argentine will be reviewing the book, “Discover Your Optimal Health: The Guide to Taking Control of Your Weight, Your Vitality and Your Life” by Dr. Wayne Scott Andersen. The Argentines will also help you explore the 5 Key Habits of Health from the book which includes Habits of Healthy Eating, Habits of Motion, Habits of Healthy Sleep, Habits of a Healthy Mind and Habits of Well-being. This might be just what you need to transform yourself in 2014.
Iraq veteran, John Ready will be at the library on Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 7 p.m. to talk about his book, “Does My Suicide Vest Make Me Look Fat.” This memoir covers the year 2003 -2004 when Ready and his group–a Civil Affairs unit– took on the momentous task of rebuilding schools, medical clinics, and mosques around the periphery of Baghdad International Airport. Ready lives in Oneida, New York, where he is a photographer, a Mission Continues Fellow at Clear Path for Veterans, and now, a published author. He was interviewed on CNN in 2010 about his experiences in Iraq, specifically about how humanitarian aid contributes to our national security. Light refreshments will follow Ready’s presentation.
If learning about local history is your goal, the Canastota Canal Town Museum and the Canastota Library have again teamed up to sponsor the eighth year of the Canalside Talks at the library. Leading off the series on Monday Jan.13 at 7 p.m. will be “The Erie Canal Brewery and Beer Making.” Jason Tedford will give a short history of beer and explain how he brews Muleskinner Pale Ale at the brewery in Canastota. The program will last about an hour and will be followed by a short question and answer period. Light refreshments will be served. This talk is free and the public is encouraged to attend.
The library will also have a second art display at the library during January. A Juried Show of our Canastota High School students’ work will be on display throughout the second floor of the library. This is a great opportunity for our community to see the art of some of our school district’s most promising student artists. The judges for this year are the artists, Pat and Tom Besl. The exhibit will be on display for the entire month and an artist’s reception for this juried show will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 14 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the library’s Carnegie Room.
The Book Chat group invites you to join them in 2014 for a year of interesting reads. They’ve moved their meeting day to Tuesdays and are hoping more people can attend the monthly discussion group. On Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 1pm, the group will be discussing Stephen King’s “11/22/63.” King’s book is about a time traveler who attempts to prevent the assassination of President John Fitzgerald “Jack” Kennedy.
Additionally, if you want to try your hand at learning to knit you will want to consider joining one of our knitting groups. Join either our Thursday Evening Group which meets at 6pm each Thursday or our Morning Group which meets each Friday at 10am. We currently have about 30 members who meet in the morning and 15 who attend evening group meetings. Both groups meet in the Lawson Room. Members knit, crochet and there are even some loom workers in the groups.
The library is here to help you make a great start with all of your resolutions for 2014. All of these programs are offered through the library at no charge to participants. Don’t have a library card? They are free…stop in and see us today.
The library is located at 102 W. Center Street in Canastota.