Last year’s St. Patrick’s Day party at Creston Eagles was a grand success, and Matilda’s Warriors aren’t missing a chance to improve on their performance. We raised nearly $10,000 toward the construction of the Creston Area Library and Cultural Center, and unanticipated numbers at the doors boosted the spirits of our hardest-working volunteers.
Come for the food, and stay for the auction. We’ll again serve corned beef and cabbage, with beef burgers for those who don’t relish traditional Irish fare, and Creston Friends of the Library will provide a bevy of desserts from which to choose. If you or your organization can donate a basket or an item for the auction, please do so, and we’ll do our best to publicize your generous support for the library at every turn.
Saturday, March 16, is the date. Tickets will soon be on sale at the library, and if you’d like to volunteer, please contact me here at the library. In the weeks to come, we’ll be preparing baskets, and assembling a spectacular display of auction items at Matilda’s castle, otherwise known as the Gibson Memorial Library.
On a personal note, I’d like to thank all those who attended my talk on the Creston, Winterset and Des Moines railroad last week. Several folks brought photos and newspaper clippings, contributing to a lively discussion, and it was evident to all present that community pride for that century-old project still runs deep.
On a programming note, you’re invited to come and hear Lincoln, Nebraska-based author, Nelsen Petersen, talk about his recent book, “Selfies with Sacajawea: The Corp of Rediscovery on the Lewis and Clark Trail.” Petersen, who spent two decades providing broadcast services to endurance events throughout the world, is an interesting fellow. In June 2018, he and two friends retraced the footsteps of America’s most important explorers, and his adventure stories will fill the evening of Monday, Jan. 28, with learning and fun.
Much is happening at your library these days. Creston Friends of the Library, our foundation, is taking orders for Valentine cookie bouquets to be delivered to a local destination of your choice on Thursday, Feb. 14. We dearly miss the late Kay Ritter, who spearheaded the Valentine cookie fundraiser for many years, but Matilda’s Warriors are resilient and determined to pull off this year’s baking, decorating and deliveries without a hitch. Valentine cookie bouquets are one of Matilda’s most cherished traditions, so send in your newspaper order forms or stop in the library and share the love.
If you haven’t been to the library in a while, stop in and see the new materials that are available. Our winter reading program for adults is underway. Check out down-loadable audio-books and e-books by clicking the “Bridges” icon at our website. You can do that from home. Come in the library and use our Ancestry.com subscription to dig into the past. Join the Crochet Club on Monday mornings. Bring your K-12 aged kids in at 4 p.m. on second and fourth Thursdays for Lego Mania.
We’ve recently installed an impressive display in our lobby that proudly showcases the community’s vision for our current location and letters of support from throughout the community. Is your business, church or civic organization represented? Matilda’s Warriors are fighting to provide a space that’s equipped to serve the Creston area far into the future – won’t you join us?
