Altamont Library Notes for Friday, June 23, 2017

We here at the library would like to offer our sincere thanks to everyone who came out for our annual chicken barbecue last Friday evening. It was touch and go there for a while as they were trying to get the fire lit during a monsoon, but a little bit of creativity and a lot of sticktoitiveness goes a long way and everything came together in the end to produce the smoothest running barbecue in recent memory.

There are many people to thank, from our food preppers to our ticket sellers, our brownie bakers to our sign makers and chicken-suit wearers. Thanks are also due to the Traditional Strings for providing such excellent music to eat to. Special thanks are due to Craig Sargent, Bob Haggerty, Eric Kuck, Don Searing, and Tony Kossmann for cooking.

Thanks are especially, especially due to Dan Capuano for organizing the event, getting all the food and supplies, and acting as head chef and quarterback for the event. It’s always a tremendous job, and Dan has been doing it for many years. This was, I’m sorry to say, his last year taking it on. Rest assured that we are in capable hands going forward, but his experience and expertise will be sorely missed. Thank you, Dan.

Now that the barbecue is done, that must mean that it’s time for some other awesome events here at the library.

Juice and Jammies

On Thursday, June 22 at 7 p.m., put on your pj’s and join Ms. Erika for a pre-bedtime story, snack and craft. This low-key storytime will be just the thing to prepare your young folks to count some sheep.

Patio ribbon-cutting

We've recently finished construction of the Spohr Family Centennial Patio on the track side of the building. This new outdoor space will be a place where folks will be able to sit and read or plug into their laptops and work, or talk with friends without worrying about getting shushed.

The patio is named in honor of the many contributions that Tom and Pat Spohr have made to our community over the years. We’re still waiting on some outdoor furniture and signs, but everything should be in place for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, June 23 at 11a.m. All are invited to join us for the grand opening. We are tremendously grateful to Senator George Amedore for securing state funds and to the loved ones of Tom Spohr for their contributions to this exciting new library space.

Cuisine Potluck

Please join us at 6 p.m. on Monday, June 26 for another in our series of fantastic Eat Around the World Potluck suppers. This month we’re going to take on traditional Native American cuisine.

This is fitting because the word “potluck” is thought to be derived from the language of the Chinook Tribe of the Pacific Northwest and its tradition of the potlach, a great feast where gifts are exchanged.

If you don’t already have a favorite Native American recipe, feel free to pick one up here at the library. Please join us and bring a dish to share.

Opening ceremony

It’s just about time for the Summer Reading Program. The Summer Reading Program is a super fun series of free events and programs at the Altamont Free Library that celebrates reading, creativity, and summer fun!

Please join us on Friday, June 30 at 4 p.m. in Orsini Park or in the library if the weather stinks to get signed up.