Guilderland Library Notes for Friday, December 12, 2014
In a multi-media lecture at the Guilderland Public Library on Sunday, Dec. 13 at 2 p.m., author and food historian Peter G. Rose delves into the early history of the life of Saint Nicholas, and explains how this humble person became the icon that he is today.
“Joyful Traditions: How the Dutch Brought Us Santa, Presents & Treats” is part of the “Speakers in the Humanities” series that brings distinguished scholars to audiences across New York.
Rose will explain the various changes in Saint Nicholas’s veneration, and relate how he was brought to America by the Dutch in the 17th Century and transformed into Santa in the 19th Century. The talk encompasses such subjects as literature, religion, and fine arts to describe the extraordinary story of Saint Nicholas, which has had a lasting impact on American culture.
Rose will have her latest book, Delicious December, available for purchase at this event. Along with her work as an author, she is a columnist and food historian. She has lectured on a variety of topics related to Dutch-American culinary history at The Smithsonian Institute, the National Gallery of Art, the Culinary Institute of America, New York University, The New-York Historical Society, and many other societies and libraries in New York State.
This Speakers in the Humanities event, which is free and open to the public, is made possible through the support of the New York Council for the Humanities, a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
No registration required. Just come on in.
Come to the Hobbit party
Children and families are cordially invited to GPL on Friday, Dec. 12, at 3:30 p.m., to join friends and neighbors for a splendid Hobbit party celebrating the release of the final installment of the Hobbit trilogy. This fun time of crafts, activities, and other Hobbity-fun is for every Hobbit fan, regardless of age. There will be popcorn, a photo booth, and a costume contest. You don’t need to wear a costume, but you can if you want to. No movie will be shown at this program.
Please call 456-2400, ext. 4 to let us know you’re coming to the Hobbit party.
Living Well for Boomers
The third and final “Living Well for Boomers and Beyond: A CDPHP Wellness Workshop” will be held at GPL on Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 5:30 p.m.
This vital session shows Baby Boomers how to focus on healthy living for years to come. Among the topics covered are eating well, staying active, and getting the best night’s sleep for optimal health.
Registration is required; please call 456-2400, ext. 2. You can also sign up online at guilpl.org; go to the event calendar for Dec. 16, and click on the “Living Well for Boomers” link.
The Local Connections Film Series
Parts of this movie adaptation of Edith Wharton's 1920 novel, The Age of Innocence — showing at GPL on Thursday, Dec. 18 at 2 p.m. — were filmed right in Troy.
This great addition to our Local Connections Film Series is the "tale of 19th Century New York high society in which a young lawyer falls in love with a woman separated from her husband, while he is engaged to the woman's cousin." — www.imdb.com.
It stars Daniel Day-Lewis, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Winona Ryder, and was directed by Martin Scorsese. Rated PG, it was released in 1993, and is 139 minutes long.
Need a gift
If you need a special gift for the avid readers in your life, come to GPL’s Better Books Sale on Saturday, Dec. 13. Doors open at 10 a.m. This sale has some special items, not the least of which being items from the late Joseph E. Persico’s personal library.
Holiday hours
GPL will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 24, and Thursday, Dec. 25, for the Christmas holiday. It will reopen at 10 a.m., Friday, Dec. 26. Your virtual hometown library is always open at www.guilpl.org.
About the Library
The Guilderland Public Library is located at 2228 Western Ave. in Guilderland. Visit the library's website at www.guilpl.org. Check out the unofficial library updates at facebook.com/Guilderland.Library and follow the library on Twitter (@GuilderlandLib).