Berne Library Notes for Friday, October 21, 2016

Databases accessible from the library's website include reliable encyclopedias and are available with a free library card. Articles from Grolier Online were used this week to check facts about the woolly bear.  That is the common name of the caterpillar stage of the Isabella tiger moth. The adult stage is a yellow moth spotted with black. However, the larval stage is a caterpillar with black in front and behind, with a brownish red middle.  

This caterpillar is often seen crawling around in the fall. It is searching for a cubbyhole where it can sleep through the winter. The woolly bear is famous in American folklore as a predictor of winter weather. It is said that the wider the red band, the warmer the coming winter will be.

Author visit

Abbie Bowker and her sister Cam Sato created a book about the woolly bear and other animals that are preparing for winter. Ms. Bowker is traveling from Vermont to visit the Berne Public Library on Saturday, Oct. 22.  Join her at 1 p.m. for a reading from her book, “Woolly Bear Winter,” along with a workshop on creating a nature inspired poem. All ages are welcome.

Storytelling

What types of things may be lurking in those cubbyholes? Perhaps it is just our imagination that makes us afraid of the dark. Storytellers Siri Allison and Nancy Payne will be sharing "Scary Stories to tell in the Dark" at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 24. In addition, there will be a mini-workshop on how to tell a great scary story. The library and the Berne Historical Society are co-sponsoring this event geared toward adults and families with older children. The program is underwritten by the Story Circle of the Capital District through funds raised by their annual storytelling concert for adults, Tellabration.

Story time

Funny monsters may be lurking in those shadows. Children ages 1 to 5 and their caregivers are invited to story time on Tuesday, Oct. 25 to look for some non-scary monsters. Perhaps there is one in the new book return.  Join Ms. Kathy at 10:30 a.m. for stories and other monstrous activities.  

  Inky Fingers

Participants of the Inky Fingers program will be learning a shadow stamping technique on Thursday, Oct. 27. Any interested adult is invited to join this artistic group at 7 p.m. to design creative cards.

So do the bands of a woolly bear predict the harshness of winter? In truth, this band grows wider as the caterpillar matures. So the woolly bear's brownish red band tells you its age. If the band is especially wide in autumn, it may suggest that the previous winter ended early. Hindsight is always easy.