Old Mission History: Friedrich Tower on the Old Mission Peninsula | Orson Peck Postcard
Old Mission History: Friedrich Tower on the Old Mission Peninsula (located on Center Road; Winery Hill near Chateau Grand Traverse) | Orson Peck Postcard
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Hans Augusto Reyersbach was born on today’s date in 1898. He and his wife Margret were German Jews. They met when Margret was 16 – as Hans saw her sliding down her father’s banister – married in 1935, and moved to Paris, France.

In Paris, Hans was commissioned to write a children’s book. That book, “Cecily G. and the Nine Monkeys,” is little remembered. However, one of the characters in the book became so popular that the couple decided to write another book based just on him.

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As WWII broke out, the couple decided that, being Jews, it would be best to flee Paris. Hans made two bicycles, and they managed to escape a few hours before the city fell to the Nazis.

Among the scarce belongings they took with them was the illustrated manuscript of the new book. They fled through France to Spain, then Lisbon and Brazil, then safely on to New York where Houghton Mifflin decided to publish the book that had traveled with them so many miles. The title? Curious George! The book was an instant success, and many generations have enjoyed the antics of that cute little monkey and the Man in the Yellow Hat!

We cannot promise you George-type adventure here at the library – after all, George has even inadvertently rocketed into space – but we can offer you much to do here at PCL! The Friends of PCL wrap up their annual used book sale tomorrow, and Saturday sales are $5/bag. Hours are Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. There are still a lot of great items so come load up for winter reading! Many thanks to booksale chair Madelyn Ryan and her crew!

‘Tis the season to save those seeds! Bring in seeds to share in the spring! Fill out our seed form! Our original card catalog houses commercially packaged and saved seeds, clearly marked. Thanks to volunteer Judy Heffron!

9/11 was the day that changed the world. Walk through a poster exhibition recounting the events through personal stories from witnesses and survivors. The exhibit is courtesy of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and remains up through September. Craft an origami crane for our display – a symbol of peace. Visit the Museum’s website here.

Upcoming Programs

Living the Herbal Life speaker, Bevin Cohen, author, herbalist, gardener, seed saver and educator, joins us September 27 at 6:30 p.m. to explore how herbs can be an ally in living a healthy life.

Tim Carroll and Richard Carroll join us Tuesday, September 28 at 2 p.m. for a talk on the Peninsula’s Towers, built in the 1920’s and popular with tourists of the day.

Old Mission History: Friedrich Tower on the Old Mission Peninsula
Old Mission History: Friedrich Tower on the Old Mission Peninsula (located on Center Road; Winery Hill near Chateau Grand Traverse)

Pageturners Book Club meets on the 3rd Thursday at 6:30 p.m. This month’s date is Thursday, Sept. 23 (“A Splendid Ruin” by Megan Chance), and in October, they return to virtual meetings via Zoom.

Upcoming books include “The Girls in the Stilt House” by Kelly Mustian (October), “The Book of Lost Names” by Kristin Harmel (November), and “The Girl in the Painting” by Tea Cooper (December).

Pageturners Book Club Upcoming Books; Peninsula Community Library on the Old Mission Peninsula | Old Mission Gazette Photo
Pageturners Book Club Upcoming Books; Peninsula Community Library on the Old Mission Peninsula | Old Mission Gazette Photo

Chapter Chicks Mother Daughter Book Club meets October 16 in person at 10:30 a.m. Book club picks are available on a first come basis. PCL’s Men’s Group gathers in person the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. Gentle Yoga happens Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. for a small fee.

Social Mahjong gathers the 2nd and 4th Wednesday from 1-4 p.m. Story Stew has been changed to the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at 11 a.m. Stories will be offered by the fireplace with craft bags and treats sent home with our preschoolers.

Mask Up!

Casual users of the library are encouraged to wear a mask regardless of vaccination status. Programs, events and meetings in the library REQUIRE a mask for anyone over five. Thanks for helping us keep staff and patrons safe!

PCL offers books, movies, puzzles, games, large print books and more. Little Free Libraries have books for the taking (adults out front; childrens’ books in the garden out back). Printing, faxing, copying, iPads and laptops are available onsite. Check out STEM kits for kids thanks to a grant from Newton’s Road and The Institute of Museum & Library Services. Wireless service is available in the parking lot 24/7. Limited notary service by appointment. Yes, we still offer curbside pickup!

How Curious George Got His Name

The Reys’ success with Curious George was a true collaboration. Hans came up with the ideas and did the illustrations, and Margret generally handled the plot and the writing. When the book was first published in 1941, King George was on the throne of England. To avoid showing disrespect, the little monkey was first known as Zozo in England. Today, of course, he is known the world over as George. And as beloved as George is, perhaps we all need a Man (or Woman) in a Yellow Hat to come to our rescue when we get into a fix!

“When you’re curious, fun has a way of just showing up!” – Curious George

Curious George and the Firefighters; Peninsula Community Library on the Old Mission Peninsula | Old Mission Gazette Photo
Curious George and the Firefighters; Peninsula Community Library on the Old Mission Peninsula

A NOTE FROM JANE: I started Old Mission Gazette in 2015 because I felt a calling to provide the Old Mission Peninsula community with local news. After decades of writing for newspapers and magazines like the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Family Circle and Ladies' Home Journal, I really just wanted to write about my own community where I grew up on a cherry farm and raised my own family. So I started my own newspaper. Because the Gazette is mainly reader-supported, I hope you'll consider tossing a few bucks my way if I mention your event, your business, your organization or your news item, or if you simply love reading about what's happening on the OMP. Check out the donation page here. Thank you so much for your support. -jb

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