HERE'S WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE CHILDREN'S LIBRARY

     There are several exciting things going on in the Children's Library that you need to know about.
     First, the promotion of "First Cards for First Graders," our library card promotion during National Library Card Sign-up Month in September, continues until the last day of September.  So far, we have 18 first graders who have signed up for their library cards.  It's not too late.  Come on in and get the smartest card you'll ever have.
     The Lego Club will be offered from October 9 through November 6 on Tuesdays, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.  Spaces are limited to 15, and parents can sign up their children in the Children's Library.  If Children's Librarian Michele Croft is out, parents can leave their name and phone number at the front desk in the main lobby so she can call them back to register their children.
     On Tuesday, October 2, we have Steve Pridmore, the children's author of Reese Madison, P.I., who will talk to students and have autographed books available for purchase.  This event is at 4:30 p.m. in the Children's Library.
     And Ms. Croft has some books with CDs available for check out.  Just check with her if you're not sure where they are.
     If you haven't visited the Children's Library for a while, be sure to stop in.  There are always amazing displays, new books, and plenty of room to hang out in the "garden" area.

A WRITING WORKSHOP FOR VETERANS

     You always hear about writing workshops for various groups, such as women's retreats, nature lovers, mystery or romance writers, but here's a very special one.
     The Moultrie-Colquitt County Library is hosting a writing workshop for Veterans on Saturday, October 6th, 10 a.m. to noon, in the Willcoxon Auditorium here at the library.  Our address is 204 Fifth Street Southeast in Moultrie.  We're only a few blocks away from the downtown square.
     And you don't necessarily have to be a Veteran.  You might be the wife or the child or the mother or father of a Veteran and remember stories your loved one told you.  Or maybe you lived in a particular country during war-time and have memories of the soldiers you knew or saw. 
     Have you ever thought you might like to write about your experiences, whether as a member of the Armed Forces or not, but didn't know how to start?
     The workshop will be led by Dr. Jeff Newberry, who is a published author and an Associate Professor of English at Abraham Baldwin Ag College in Tifton, Georgia.  He will discuss good examples of war memoirs and provide some possible strategies for getting your experiences out of your head and into words.
     The workshop is free.  All you need to do is call the library at 229-985-6540 and register; we need a head count in order to set up the room.
     Then on the day you attend, just bring paper and pen, notebook or e-gadget, and join us!
     This is an opportunity that doesn't often come into you life.  Take advantage of it now.
     We'll look for you.

WHO IS STEVE PRIDMORE? COME AND SEE!

       Let me tell you who Steve Pridmore is. 
     If you have children ages 4 to 8 years old, you should bring them to the Children's Library on Saturday, October 2nd, at 4:30 p.m. to meet Steve Pridmore. 
     He is the author of the Reese Madison, P.I., children's stories.  The Daily Mountain Eagle says he is "the Nancy Drew for a new generation."  And The Torch (Chicago) says he "balances education and entertainment, giving a new excitement for kids."
     Steve is a native of Alabama.  He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Theater Conservatory of the Chicago College of the Performing Arts at Roosevelt University.  He has written, directed and/or produced over 15 theatrical state productions.  And he's been an essential part of some of the biggest television shows in America, such as American Idol, The Apprentice, Heroes, Grease: You're the One that I Want, Dance War--Bruno vs. Carrie Ann, and Steven Spielberg's On the Lot, just to name a few.
     If you're wondering who Reese Madison, P.I., is, then it's time you and the kiddies came to the library event to check her out.  She's a sharp, ambitious eight-year old private eye.  She and her sidekick, Braden, set out to solve the next great mystery. 
     Reese Madison, P.I, teaches children lessons about vowels, basic math, science, safety, basic problem solving, and several life lessons.
     Children who come to the event will be able to talk to Steve and purchase autographed copies of his new books, "Ghost of Adventureland" and "Case of the Missing E."  There's a special on the books for you...$10 for each one or both for $18.  And, parents, I have to tell you, these will make great birthday or Christmas presents.
      Remember, Saturday, October 2nd, 4:30 p.m. in the Children's Library at the Moultrie-Colquitt County Library, 204 5th Street Southeast, in Moultrie (that's in Georgia).
    

WE'RE CELEBRATING CONSTITUTION WEEK

     Like many public libraries across the country, we are celebrating Constitution Week here at our library.  The event is being celebrated September 17th through the 23rd.  The week is designed to promote a revival of interest in the U. S. Constitution and its foundations of American freedoms. 
     According to the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Constitution is the oldest document still in active use that outlines the self-government of a people.  This landmark idea that men had the inalienable right as individuals to be free and live their lives under their own governance was the impetus of the American Revolution.  Today, the Constitution stands as an icon of freedom for people around the world.
     We are fortunate enough to have members of the John Benning Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution come in and decorate our library foyer table with colorful flags and handouts.  They have provided Constitution Week information for the past three years, and each year their display is informational and decorative.
     This time DAR members Margaret Griner, Pat Rentz and Barbara Thompson came to decorate the table and, when they were finished, the display turned out to be one of the cutest we've seen for Constitution Week. 
     Standing tall on a long patriotic scarf of stripes and stars is a doll with a white beard and a tophat.  He's dressed in red, white and blue with stripes and stars.  He's holding a bag of United States flags in one arm and hanging from the other arm is a drum with drumsticks.  Across the bottom of his long coat are stitched the words "Bless the USA."  Of course, you might think he resembles Santa Claus, but I really think he resembles Uncle Sam.
     All around the table are small flags representing different states of the USA, red and blue sparklers, and small red tophats with bands of red, white and blue stripes and stars.  The handouts provided by the DAR are Constitution Week bookmarks and an article, "George Mason and the Bill of Rights" by Marie Tunstall Lingo, with a copy of the Bill of Rights on the reverse side.
     The DAR has served America for 122 years as its foremost cheerleader, including the Moultrie chapter which is 102 years old this year.  In 1928, the Daughters began work on a building as a memorial to the Constitution.  John Russell Pope, architect of the Jefferson Memorial, was commissioned to design the performing arts center, known as the DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, DC.  Today, the DAR Constitution Hall is the only structure erected in tribute to the Constitution of the United States of America.
     Known as the largest women's patriotic organization in the world, the DAR has more than 165,000 members with approximately 3,000 chapters in all 50 states and 11 foreign countries.  The DAR has long promoted patriotism through commemorative celebrations, memorials, scholarships and activities for children, and programs for new immigrants.
     We hope you'll stop by and view this lovely display.  And be sure to pick up some of the handouts, also.

    

We're gonna have a little mystery!

     Did you see on our website home page the announcement about the "Murder in the Library"?  Well, I want to tell you about it, because it is going to be one of the best things that's happened in our library.
     This tongue-in-cheek mystery begins with a book signing party for a rather unpopular mystery author, Agatha Mystry.   When all the suspects have toasted her - and she has given her scathing reponse - Agatha Mystry suddenly drops dead between the book stacks.  (An appropriate place, huh?)
     Well!  Whodunnit?
     The suspects and characters are from Moultrie's finest actors:

• Agatha Mystry, portrayed by school teacher Patience Hicks, is a famous mystery writer and the honored guest, who just sold her 200th book.
• Dell Doubleday, who is really financial advisor Ken Turnipseed, is the book publisher who published Agatha's first book in 1967.
• Page Turner, the book critic with 130 slander cases pending against her, is played by Moultrie Observer reporter Adelia Ladson.
• Mayor MacBook, the newly-elected Mayor who plans to run for President in two years, will be portrayed by our own Moultrie Mayor, Bill McIntosh.
• Lotta Books is none other than our own retired library director, Melody Jenkins, acting as the head librarian since 1966 and host of the night's book signing event.
• Dalton B. Walden, the bookstore owner who provided eight free copies of Agatha's book, will be Jim Soos, co-owner of Christian Books & More.
• Lauren Bacall Number, the star of several trashy, low budget movies, including "Cat on a Hot Muffin Tin," who is on her fourth marriage, will be portrayed by hospital secretary Barbara Peoples.
• And Al Whittington, county sheriff, will be Sam Slayed, Chief of Police and head of the local Vice Squad, on his second roll of Tums.

     You should NOT miss this great time.  It will be up to you, the audience, to solve the crime and help apprehend the murderer.
      Besides that, you will be served desserts "to die for," along with gourmet coffee and tea, which will be your food for thought as you work through the drama to determine who really done it.  And prizes - yes! prizes! - will be awarded to the person who solves the crime!
     The cost for participating in the fundraiser, sponsored by the Friends of the Moultrie-Colquitt County Library, is only $25 per person.  Tickets are available at the Library, 204 5th Street, SE, and from Christian Books & More, 1612 First Avenue, SE, both in Moultrie.
     Come join us for the best time ever.  Join us in raising funds for continued support of the Moultrie-Colquitt County Library, your place of "Knowledge without Walls."

"A BEACH TAIL"

     Like many of you, my Labor Day holiday is over and it's back to work...somewhere....  Lots of us work in offices, many of us work outside, others of us are traveling for our businesses.  It doesn't matter where you are or what you're doing, the Labor Day holiday is over.  September is in full bloom and we must move with the tide.
     Ah!  Did I say "tide"?  For some reason, my thoughts of the beach never leave me.
     So, it wasn't a surprise when I came in to work today and passed the checked-in books that I saw a children's book with the title "A Beach Tail."  And because my curiosity is always on high, I picked up the book and took it to the office for a fast read. 
     I am a lover of children's books and this one shows a little African-American boy on the cover with a stick in his hand as he digs in the sand.
     I wasn't disappointed with the book at all.  The pictures are gorgeous.  They look as if they've been painted with sand, lots of shades of brown and tan, soft blues and reds.
     Gregory is the little boy's name and he's at the beach with his dad.  Like all good parents, Dad tells Gregory as he draws a lion in the sand, a lion he's named Sandy, that he's not to go in the water and he's not to leave Sandy.  And Gregory promises he won't.
     As Dad sits under a blue umbrella on a dolphin towel, Gregory, with stick in hand, makes the lion's tail grow longer and longer.  It's during the length of the lion's tail that the story is told, as it circles around a purple jellyfish, goes past an old sand castle, zig-zags around a golden horseshoe crab, on an on down the beach, until Gregory realizes he can no longer see Dad and the blue umbrella.
     Does that make you wonder what happens next?   Well, good then.  It's a book to check out even if you don't have a child to read it to.  The pictures bring back good times at the beach, good times not only for children, but of the pleasures adults have at the beach also.
     I can close my eyes and see the waves rolling in, smell the beachy air of fish and birds, see the gulls and sandpipers and pelicans, listen to the music of everything around me.
     Sure, September is here and Labor Day is gone, but here in South Georgia we're not too far from an ocean beach no matter which direction we go (excluding beaches at lakes, several of which are to the north of us).
     But there's one way you can always keep a beach nearby.  We have lots of good books and audio books at our library about beaches.  Of course, there are always the novels (try reading those by Dorothea Benton Frank) and the nonfictions (try those about Jekyll Island and Cumberland and the islands of the Golden Coast of Georgia).
     Oh, yes, and remember...September is National Library Card Sign-up Month at libraries all across the nation.  If you don't have a library card, you're missing one of the most important cards you can keep in your wallet or purse. It's a guaranteed way of getting to the beach even when you have to wait until the next holiday to get to the real thing.
     That book I read...well, it's by Karen Lynn Williams and the illustrations are by Floyd Cooper.  If you're lucky and want to read it, you might find it in the Children's Library, unless it's already checked out again.