“Peace Like a River”

Published in 2001, Leif Enger’s “Peace Like a River” is a beautifully written story of family love. It’s the story of a Midwestern father raising his three children alone in the 1960s. Their quiet life is turned upside down when the oldest son kills two young men who have come to attack his family. On the morning of his sentencing, Davy escapes from jail and the family (father, daughter and asthmatic other son) heads out to find him. It is a story touched by tragedy, romance, spirituality, and adventure.  I could not agree more with a reviewer from Publisher’s Weekly who said, “This is a stunning debut novel, one that sneaks up on you like a whisper and warms you like a quilt…a novel about faith, miracles, and family that is, ultimately, miraculous.”

Jan Dempsey

Cows and organic farming

Kathie Arnold, a Cortland County legislator, owner of Twin Oaks Dairy in Truxton and chair of the New York State Organic Advisory Task Force, will be presenting two programs at the library on
Saturday, June 7.

The first program is for youth in grades K – 6. They will learn about cows, farming and there will be cow-related activities. This will be offered in Youth Services from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

The second program is for teens and adults. Kathie will talk about organic farming and organic products. This program will be offered on the main floor from 11:00 – Noon.

Celebrate dairy month with the Cortland Free Library!

Learn more about the Maasai

Last year, Randall Elementary School teacher Kathleen Elliott-Birdsall visited the Maasai tribe in Kenya, Africa and shared stories and photos of her trip in a September library program.

Now the Maasai are coming to Cortland.  Join us as we learn from the Maasai about their language, music, dance, dress and food.

Thursday, June 5 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

All ages welcome.

June adult book discussion

Our June book discussion group will meet Wednesday, June 18 at 6:30 pm or Thursday, June 19 at 10 a.m.
The book pick for June is a non-fiction title  ”Into the Wild” by Jon Krakauer. The New York Times describes the book as “Terrifying…Eloquent… a heart-rending drama of human yearning.”

Hope you can join us!

Jan

 

“In Defense of Food”

I learned so much about food and farming from journalist Michael Pollan in his book “The Omnivore’s Dilemma.” In his new book “In Defense of Food” I learned even more about food; what we should and shouldn’t eat, and even how we should eat.  He writes about how foods became food products, the industrialization of food, the western diet and gives us some realistic suggestions on how to reclaim our health. Highly recommended.

Jan Dempsey

“Girls Like Us”

A new book by Sheila Weller, “Girls Like Us” looks at the lives (and loves) of Carole King, Joni Mitchell and Carly Simon. It’s a fascinating look at the lives of these three music icons and a somewhat nostalgic glimpse at a turbulent time period when the hippie movement, civil rights movement, and women’s movement were all converging.

Jan Dempsey

May Youth Book Club

Find out more about classic fairy tales, fractured fairy tales and modern fairy tales. Together we will create wild mad-lib fairy tales. Thursday, May 22 from 6:30 – 7:30 pm. For grades 3-6.

Guitar Hero & Dance Dance Revolution

Teens – Come to the library and experience Guitar Hero and Dance Dance Revolution. On Thursday, May 8 from 6:30 – 7:30 pm you can try it out for yourself. For those in Grades 7-12.

Adult Book Discussion Group

Everyone is welcome to join us at the library on Wednesday, May 21 at 6:30 pm or Thursday, May 22 at 10 am for our book discussion group. This month’s book pick is a Gothic-like mystery called “The Thirteenth Tale” by Dianne Setterfield. If you love books and mysteries, you will find this tale captivating. 

In June we will discuss “Into the Wild” by Jon Krakauer.

Turn-Off Week pledge card drawing winners!

Sorry it’s taken me a few days to post this. We had the drawing at the library at 5 pm on April 28 and after calling all of the winners, I had to travel that evening to go to a library conference.

So here are the prizes and the winners!

10. Chris Merkley CD and 4-H Cookbook – Samantha Travis
9.   $15 gift card at Wal-Mart – Alexa O’Hara
8.   $15 gift card at Wal-Mart – Kathy Roos
7.   Skate Park T-Shirt – Daniel Ruggiero
6.   $25 gift certificate to City Youth Bureau – Dalton Jackson
5.   3 $20 gift certificates for horseback riding at Maybury Brook Stables – Gus O’Connell
4.   $25 gift card to Applebee’s – Elizabeth Minnard
3.   $25 gift card to Applebee’s – Jon Gesin
2.   YWCA pool party – Kathryn Aumick
1.   YMCA 3 month family membership – Jack Mertz

Congratulations to the winners and to all participants who pledged to turn off their screens for a week. And many thanks to the County Health Dept., Cooperative Extension, Wal-Mart, City Youth Bureau, Maybury Brook Stables, YWCA and the YMCA who contributed all of these fantastic prizes!

Jan Dempsey