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Editor’s Note: Peninsula Community Library Director Vicki Shurly updates us on library happenings below, including the origins of the Hula Hoop, a morel mushroom hunter extraordinaire, and the annual Books at the Boathouse fundraiser. -jb
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Sixty-three years ago this month, the Hula Hoop was first patented by a co-founder of the toy company Wham-O. An estimated 25 million were sold in its first 4 months of production. Named after the Hawaiian dance form, it was inspired by an almost identical toy homemade from bamboo by children in Australia. However, hoops for rolling were used as far back as 500 BC by both children and adults.
I have to admit, I was never proficient at getting the ring to swirl around my waist. Most often, it ended up at my feet with my three-year-old self in tears. Alas, I am sure it was one of the most minor disappointments of my young life, although it did not seem so at the time. Today there are even YouTube videos with instructions on keeping the hoop up. Of course, YouTube and the internet were not even imagined by my playmates and I!
While we don’t have a Hula Hoop program planned here at Peninsula Community Library (and maybe we should!), there is much going on to keep you rolling!
March is Reading Month. Pick up a BINGO card at PCL and turn it in to earn a sweet treat! Adults, teens and kids! Reading is an adventure!
Michigan Movie Mania. Our series of movies set and/or filmed in the Great Lakes State continues! Frozen Stupid (NR) – a comedy about a cantankerous father and his bumbling son who share a love of ice fishing, 3/16, filmmaker Rich Brauer joins us! We will have pizza that night, so let us know you are coming! Roger and Me (R) – a documentary on the closing of GM plants in Flint, 4/13. Rescheduled Somewhere in Time (PG) – an iconic film and love story set on Mackinac Island, 5/18. All films at 6:30 p.m. Snacks? Of course!
The Gift of Life. PCL partners with VERSITI for a blood drive 3/18 from noon-5. Blood collected stays in Michigan. Register here. Donors are desperately needed. I have signed up. Have you?
Pickin’ With the Champ. Join Anthony Williams 3/26 @ 6:30 for advice on gathering the elusive morel! Anthony’s family has been picking in Michigan since 1890. He is a “5 year in a row” winner of the National Morel Hunting Championship!
Books @ The Boathouse! Tickets for the 3/30, 6 p.m., event are on sale at PCL! Funds support your library! The evening includes a 4-course dinner, wine/beer and a live auction with UpNorthLive’s Marc Schollett. In recognition of the 20th anniversary of the event, The Carriage House has been named in honor of Doug & Erin Kosch and their crew! Tickets are going fast. Get yours soon!
Seed Library. Spring is just around the corner, and our Seed Library in the old card catalog in the lobby is in need of donations! You are welcome to bring new packets, partial packages or seeds you have harvested. Please make sure to note what the seeds are! This collection depends on YOU!
Best Friends! The Friends of PCL are hosting a Coloring Party on March 19 at 6 p.m. Entry fee is an Amazon or Michaels’s gift card for the library in the amount of your choosing. Volunteers are needed for the Bayshore Marathon Aid Station May 23. Call us! General meeting is April 16 at 1:30 p.m. All welcome!
The Friends are accepting items for the August book sale on the 1st & 3rd Mondays of the month. They cannot accept Reader’s Digest Condensed Books, encyclopedias, magazines (including National Geographic), VHS tapes, textbooks, outdated technology manuals, outdated medical information, items that are dirty, moldy, water damaged or have excessive markings or highlighting. Ask yourself, “Would I buy it?” Small donations of one small box of items in good condition will be accepted anytime at the library’s front desk if you are unable to donate at the given time.
The Regulars
Peninsula Insights – speakers of interest @ 7 p.m., 3rd Wednesday of the month. This month’s speaker is Lisa Trombley. Dessert provided by Chef Brit Eaton.
Story Stew for preschoolers – the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays @ 11.
Reading Dogs Lani & Rosie – Tuesdays from 3:30-5 pm.
Threads – Mondays 10-noon – bring a project, work among friends!
Gentle Yoga with Tina Livingston – Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. for a small fee.
Pageturners – 3rd Thursdays @ 6:30 p.m. Books available on a first come basis. The book for March is Last Twilight in Paris by Pam Jenoff. April is The Boxcar Librarian by Brianna Labuskes.
Takeout craft bags for kids the 1st full week of the month. Adult craft bags seasonally. While they last!
For little ones on the 2nd Mondays of the month at 10:30 for a small fee,we offer Fox’s Fiesta, Music & Movement with Stirling Saur, a pediatric speech-language pathologist/certified yoga instructor!
Kids ages 7-10 meet up to talk about and trade cards at our Pokémon Club on the 2nd Saturday of the month from 12:30-1:30 p.m. with Audra Tompkins!
At Your Service. PCL offers a Library of Things, Seed Library, books, movies, puzzles, games, adult LEGO kits, Explorer Bags, STEM kits, large print books, Children’s Garden with a play village & more. Little Free Libraries have books for the taking. Stay Sharp Kits available for adult patrons in memory care. Printing, faxing, copying & laptops available onsite. Wireless service accessible in the parking lot 24/7. Limited notary service available by appointment. Launchpads and WhaZoodles are self-contained digital units for kids with entertaining educational software.
The company Wham-O went on to market many other popular toys: Superball, Frisbee, Slip ‘N Slide. They were all a great part of my childhood, Hula Hoops excepted! Alvin the Chipmunk wanted a Hula Hoop for Christmas and sang about it. Wall-E in Pixar’s animated film has a humorous first encounter with one. Billy Joel mentioned the toy in his song “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” It is amazing how simple items from our shared past become cultural icons. Maybe Hula Hoops were a part of yours. I may have to try again, but only where none of you can see me!
Enjoy the days as they change from winter to spring! See you soon here at PCL!
– Vicki Shurly, Director, Peninsula Community Library
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