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Editor’s Note: Peninsula Community Library Director Vicki Shurly updates us on library happenings below, including the Books at the Boathouse fundraiser, a new “Quiet Time,” and upcoming events. -jb
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Among many non-notable holidays in April is “Plan Your Epitaph Day.” Observed annually on April 6th, it is meant as a day for people to reflect on their lives and to take control of how they are remembered by writing their own funeral inscription. Not to be morbid, but I do have a favorite. It is from a book, of course – Richard Peck’s Here Lies the Librarian! When the small town’s crotchety librarian passes away in a twister at the beginning of the story, her tombstone reads: “Here lies the Librarian. After years of service tried and true, heaven stamped her overdue!”
We don’t have any crotchety librarians here at Peninsula Community Library. PCL is a pretty friendly place. We do have a lot going on, however!
On Thursdays, we’re offering one hour of quiet time from 9-10 a.m. in the library before we open. We will not be checking out books or doing the other myriad of things we normally do. It is meant as a time to come in, enjoy the peace, read by the fire and have coffee or tea on us. The Friends of PCL may even offer a light morning snack!
Books at the Boathouse was, as usual, a great success! The event earned about $20,000 to support our collections and programs. Many thanks to Doug and Erin Kosch and the Boathouse crew, those who attended and those who bid on auction items, as well as those who donated items. This was the 20th anniversary of the first Books at the Boathouse and our Carriage House now bears a plaque in honor of the Koschs’ generosity!
(Thanks to Vicki or sending photos along while I’m recovering from eye surgery. -jb)
Wing Watchers, our bird lovers group, has started up again. The May 5th program at 6:30 p.m. features Kirk Waterstripe of the Grand Traverse Audubon Society, All are welcome. Wing Watchers meets April – September.
Michigan Movie Mania. Our series of movies set and/or filmed in the Great Lake State continues! Roger and Me (R), a documentary on the closing of GM plants in Flint, will be shown 4/13 at 6:30 p.m. Snacks included! We will reschedule the Frozen Stupid movies with Rich Brauer this summer!
Quilts for Kids. Join Kellie Chase to transform fabrics into patchwork quilts for kids facing serious trauma, 4/14 from 10 – noon. Quilts for Kids is a non-profit organization. Materials provided. RSVP!
Peninsula Insights. We welcome speaker Lisa Trombley April 15 at 7 p.m. Lisa is a Peninsula resident whose career included providing technology services to the Federal Government and civil agencies like the Department of Defense and the intelligence community. The talk is accompanied by dessert courtesy of Chef Brit Eaton.
Make & Take! Come, create, craft! Terrarium Jars 4/20. Garden Lover’s Wreath 5/18! 3:30-5. RSVP!
Dementia/Alzheimer Care. By popular demand, expert Kelly McCord returns to share information about caring for people with memory issues. The content shared in the fall will be repeated on 4/30 from 2 – 3:30 p.m. New content from 3:45 to 5:15. Program sponsored by Accelerate the Care.
Best Friends! The Friends of PCL accept items for the August book sale on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month. They do not accept everything, so call us if you have questions! Volunteers are needed for the Bayshore Marathon Aid Station May 23. Email Julia MacLachlan at [email protected]. General meeting is April 16 at 1:30. All are welcome!
The Regulars
- Story Stew for preschoolers – the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays @ 11.
- Reading Dogs Lani & Rosie – Tuesdays from 3:30-5 p.m.
- 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 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 and more. Little Free Libraries have books for the taking. Stay Sharp Kits available for adult patrons in memory care. Printing, faxing, copying and 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.
There are many both serious and humorous epitaphs in literature and on the tombstones of authors. Apparently, relic hunting was a major “hobby” in Shakespeare’s day, and the great playwright had a fear that his grave would be disturbed. He wrote and his stone reads in part, “Blessed be the man who spares these stones. And cursed be he that moves my bones.” Writer and human rights activist Dorothy Parker wanted hers to read simply, “Excuse my dust!” While she was cremated, her epitaph is included on a stone in her garden.
While we are above ground and not six feet under, let’s enjoy the sun and ponder — or not — what you might like said about you!
– Vicki Shurly, Director, Peninsula Community Library
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