Altamont Library Notes for Friday, July 22, 2016
— Photo by Mike Seinberg
Castle Breitenbach — the home of Thom and Deborah Breitenbach — was the setting for Saturday’s Victorian Garden Party in celebration of the Altamont Free Library’s centennial.. Pictured are Congressman Paul Tonko, Altamont Mayor Jim Gaughan, Deborah Barnes-Breitenbach, Albany County Executive Dan McCoy, AFL Board President Yvette Terplak, Thom Breitenbach, AFL Director Joe Burke, Albany County Legislator Travis Stevens, and Guilderland Supervisor Peter Barber.
This week, we will be observing the official Centennial of the chartering of the Altamont Free Library. Our library was founded 100 years ago, and though much has changed in the village and the world, some things have not. The Altamont Free Library was then, is now, and always will be a community space first and foremost, a place where people can come to meet their educational, entertainment, and enrichment needs, whatever those might be.
We were then and are now here for you in every stage of life. As we did 100 years ago, we welcome and respect all who walk through our doors. Please join us for a special anniversary concert in Orsini Park on Tuesday July 26 (details below). We look forward to sharing this celebration of our last 100 years and our next 100 years with you all!
Quidditch in McKownville Park
Just in time for the publication of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” we're playing Quidditch on Thursday, July 21 at 2 p.m. (rain date, July 28)! Children 10 and up are invited to join us at Fred Abele (McKownville) Park (please call for directions). We’ll need seekers, chasers, and beaters to try and catch the golden snitch so please call to register in advance. Bring your own broom.
Author talk
Also on Thursday, July 21 at 6:30 p.m., please join us for a visit from local author Keith W. Willis. Keith will present excerpts from his award-winning debut novel, “Traitor Knight” and discuss his fascinating work. Copies of “Traitor Night” will be available for sale and signing at the event, which is free and open to the public.
Chalk the walk
To celebrate our 100th anniversary, on Tuesday, July 26 we’re inviting all our friends to leave the library birthday messages in chalk on our sidewalk. Stop on in any time, and let the library know how you feel about it, share a book recommendation, sign your name or draw a picture, it’s up to you.
Centennial concert and cake
The always popular free summer concert series continues at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 26. Join us in Orsini Park for a performance by Marty Wendell and his Tour Band. This will be a particularly special concert for us, since it will fall on the actual anniversary of the library’s chartering in 1916.
We’ll be singing “Happy Birthday” to our library and celebrating with cake for all attendees. In the event of rain, this and all of our other concerts will be relocated to the pavilion at Bozenkill Park. Next up, on Aug. 2, we’ve got Blues Hall of Fame inductee Scotty Mac and his band playing blues and classic rock.