Altamont Library Notes for Friday, February 17, 2017
— Photo from Joe Burke
I Love My Library! Gala celebrants on Saturday night included, from left, Congressman Paul Tonko, Altamont Free Library Director Joe Burke, AFL Board of Trustees President Christine Carpenter, Assemblywoman Patricia Fahy, and Altamont Mayor James Gaughan. They are standing behind Guilderland High School students who volunteered to help for the evening.
— Photo from Joe Burke
Going, going... Linda Cure, an Altamont library trustee, displays a painting by local artist Joan Johnson as Tony Kossmann serves as auctioneer Saturday evening at the library’s annual fundraiser. This year, the Train Station Quilters were honored.
Another gala is in the books! I have to extend a huge thank-you to everyone who attended the 10th annual I Love My Library! Gala last Saturday night. I hope everyone had as fantastic a time as I did.
Many, many people contributed to the success of the Altamont Free Library event, but a by-no-means-exhaustive list would include Robin Love, Meghan Connelly, Yvette Terplak, Steve Terplak, Pat Spohr, Sally Dague, Sharon Forman, Michelle Stevens, Vicki Vattimo, Christine Carpenter, Ron Ginsburg, Mike Seinberg, and Linda Cure, among many, many others.
I’d also like to thank the many donors of auction items, appetizers and desserts; the great volunteers who kept everything running smoothly; and Bella Fleur and Elegant Touch Catering for their phenomenal work. Finally, many thanks are due to our honorees for the evening, the amazing Train Station Quilters for all their hard work and dedication. Thank you all for your time, energy, and creativity.
We’ve got some pretty great events coming up over the next few weeks.
Juice and Jammie
Tonight, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. put on your PJ’s and join Ms. Erika for a pre-bedtime story, snack and craft! This storytime will be just the thing to prepare your kiddos to count sheep.
Keough signs his book
Please join us for a very special event on Thursday, Feb. 22 from 6 to 7 p.m. Local author James Keough will be discussing and signing copies of his book “The First K-9 Trooper in the NYS Police.”
Mr. Kough served on the New York State Police from 1965 to 1998 and has collected stories over three decades worth of stories with partners both human and canine.
Syria potluck
Every month, we hold a wonderful event called the Eat Around the Word Potluck, where members of our community come together and prepare and share foods from a different culture or country each month. In February, we’ve decided to add another element to the mix. On Monday, Feb. 27 at 6 p.m., we will be sampling the cuisine of Syria.
In the Capital District, we have seen many people who have escaped the recent violence in Syria and are now trying to make a new life for themselves among us. Often, these refugees come to the United States with only the proverbial clothes on their backs, and they need help.
To that end, on the night of our potluck and in the week before it, we will be accepting donations of household goods to be distributed to groups that work to resettle refugee populations. Making a donation is by no means necessary to attending the potluck, but if you are inclined, we have wish lists of household and personal goods here at the library that would warmly and gratefully received.