Berne Library Notes for Wednesday, July 21, 2021
— Photo from Kathy Stempel
At the Friends of the Berne Library’s Bowls for Books event, from left, Ann Hein, Becky Waldenmaier, pottery teacher Colleen Skiff, and Carrie Needham smile as they pose with handmade bowls that were filled with ice cream donated for the occasion by Stewart’s Shops.
“I hate to read!”
Several gasps were heard as heads whipped around, staring in disbelief. The July meeting of the Word of the Month Club was being held in the park. Mingling under the shade of the giant oak tree, mushrooming over their picnic area in the east garden, members shushed each other as they pretended not to eavesdrop.
Are there really people who hate to read? Suzy sidled over to the end of the table to peek at the speaker making the declaration. To her surprise, it was a white-haired man who looked to be in his fifties and not a youngster, as she first suspected.
Rejoining her Word of the Month Club pals, the group launched into a rousing discussion about bibliophobes and bibliophiles. The group decided right then and there to spend the rest of July and all of August researching the nuances of bibliophobes — people who hate, fear, or distrust books — and bibliophiles: those with a deep appreciation for the written word. People who love how books feel, how they look and how they smell. People who enjoy browsing book sales, libraries, and used-book stores.
Roxanne mentioned reading about one bibliophile who paid $11.5 million for a copy of John James Audubon’s “Birds Of America.”
Are you a bibliophobe or a bibliophile? Inquiring Word of the Month Club minds want to know.
Read-aloud rundown
Meanwhile, over in Marshall and Sally’s backyard, it’s time for Marshall's favorite Friday read-aloud to his bride.
Sally put down her book, “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig, when she saw Marshall.
“Got the newspaper Sally. You ready to hear the week’s rundown of library events?”
“Definitely! Let’s see what’s in store for us.”
Career Dogs
“Well, we already signed up for the Career Dogs program tonight, the 23rd, at 7 p.m. They’ll start with a zoom meeting with two people familiar with the Guiding Eyes program.
“One of them has helped with puppy raising and the other one, Nancy, has been blind since birth. She got her first guide dog in 1986.
“After that, we’ll be meeting Cheswick, a dog who alerts her owner, Colleen, when her blood-sugar level is down. There’ll also be dog trivia games plus refreshments.”
“We’ll make sure we get there early,” said Sally.
Cole Hill hike
“Then, on Sunday, the 25th, at 2 o’clock, Kathy Stempel has a Book/Hike planned near Cole Hill, weather permitting. Those hikes are always fun with Kathy at the helm.”
Geezer
“On Wednesday, the 28th, at 6:30, the second Music In the Park series kicks off with Geezer. That’s the band Tom Nag is in,” said Marshall with a side glance at Sally.
“That’ll be a fun night,” said Sally. “Anything else?”
Frankentoys
“Yes, indeed. For Thursday, July 29, at 7 p.m. teens are invited to ‘Frankentoys Break ’n Remake.’ The kids will break down different toys and then remake them.”
“Hmmm, that sounds different,” Sally murmured softly. “Hope the kids take advantage of it.”