Altamont Library Notes for Thursday, May 28, 2015
— Photo from Betsy Buchardt
Do it yourself: Cornell Cooperative Extension volunteers Ronnie Siegel and Virginia Dorwaldt show young Altamont Free Library patrons how to plant their own vegetables so that they can grow their own homemade salsa.
June is nearly upon us, and, by the time you read this, the Altamont Free Library’s June newsletter will be out. We’ve got a few really cool programs coming up in June that you should have on your calendar.
Concert
First up, we’ve got a concert by Indian Music Caravan on Monday, June 15. Indian Music Caravan is a nationally renowned mother-son duo who perform classical and folk music of India on sitar and tablas. We’re very excited to be able to host them and we hope that you’ll join us for this free event.
Tai Chi classes
Second, we’ll be holding free Tai Chi classes in Orsini Park starting Wednesday, June 17. Led by Kyoshi Joe Mansfield, these classes will demonstrate the Chinese martial art of Tai Chi which is known for its meditative and therapeutic nature. No experience is necessary and beginners and experienced practitioners are encouraged to attend!
Chicken barbecue
The third thing to know about in June is our famous annual chicken barbecue fund-raiser on Friday, June 19. This highly anticipated event offers library trustees and volunteers the opportunity to play Top Chef for you all. We’ll also be breaking out the library’s chicken costume for the occasion. We’ve already had a ton of people in at the library asking for tickets, which will be available starting this week or early next week.
In the nearer term, here are a few neat things happening this week.
The Dojo
On Friday, May 29, our old friend Ryan Black will be back to lead out teen gaming program, The Dojo at 6 p.m. From board games to card games to video games, we’ll have something for every high schooler or near high schooler to get into.
Book discussion
Did you know that New York wasn’t always New York? It’s true: Before the British came along and took control of the colony, much of New York State, including the entire Capital District was New Netherland.
The First Monday book discussion group will meet at noon on June 1st to discuss “The Island at the Center of the World” by Russell Shorto. This history of the Dutch settlement of New Amsterdam on the island of Manhattan puts into new perspective the early history of the most important city on Earth. Based on research done by local scholar Charles Gehring, this book should provoke a fascinating conversation. Please join us.
Australian potluck
We usually hold our Eat Around the World Potluck on the last Monday of the month, but since that was Memorial Day, the May potluck is being held on June 1 at 6 p.m. This month we’ll be sampling the cuisine of Australia.
There don’t seem to be many Australian cookbooks in the library system, so you might have to reach out to your favorite Aussie to learn their recipes. Join us, won’t you? Bring a dish to share.