April is Poetry Month! The Canastota Public Library has a great display of local published poetry. Why not stop by and pick up a selection this month. Or, if you would like to try your hand at writing poetry, consider joining one of the Library’s two writing groups.
Our Afternoon Writers meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month from 3 – 5pm. This group is hosted by Tish and Dean Dickinson. If evening are better for you, our Evening Writers meet on the second and fourth Monday evenings from 6:30pm until 8:30pm. Reservations are not necessary. Simply stop in and join us and remember to bring some of your writing to share with the group.
April is also a great month to think about your summer garden. It’s almost time to start your plants indoors. If you have been thinking about starting a garden this year, your first stop should be to the Canastota Seed Exchange in the library! This is our fifth year of the Seed Exchange and we have 321 seed varieties to choose from. The BRASSICA family of vegetable is being celebrated this year as the National Garden Bureau Vegetable of 2017.
Check out the seeds in that family including kale, collards, cauliflower, cabbage and kohlrabi. Many other new seeds are available. It’s easy to become a Seed Exchange Member. Just fill out the membership form and select your seed! Please remember that the Seed Exchange also accepts donations of open-pollinated seeds any time of the year.
Two Canastota Central School Art Students have their work on display at the library this month. On the second floor in the Crow’s Nest, visit the display of Emily Sealy. Sealy is displaying work in drawing, painting and ceramics! In our Lawson Room, on the lower level of the library, Alyssa DeNeve’s work is on display. Both young women will display their work for the entire month of April.
In April, we’ll also learn about Canastota in the early 1900’s. Come and join us for an evening program on “Canastota’s Lift Bridge” on Wedensday, April 26 at 7pm. There are many stories surrounding the lift bridge and Joe DiGiorgio will highlight the fascination history and events behind the lift bridge operation. The Lift Bridge was used in the Canastota from 1902 until 1927. This program is part of our Spring Canalside Talks, a coordinated effort of the Canal Town Museum and the Canastota Public Library.
Our Archive Room is filled with files and books of local history and interest. This room is open to anyone to use for research purposes. We” also have many years of “The Toot,” Canastota High School’s Yearbook. We are missing some years and would love donations if you can fill our needs. The years we are missing include 1922-27, 1992 and 2008 to the present. Thank you for helping us to keep history alive at the library.
The library is located at 102 W. Center Street, Canastota.