I love stories. Everyone has at least one. They can be told from as many perspectives as are imaginable. They can be real or pretend or a combination of the two. There’s something that attracts us to a narrative format, perhaps because we can grasp it. It moves from one point to the next, it has a setting we recognize, and other elements like characters, a plot and dialogue. Those dramatic devices enable us to develop themes of love, death, war, good vs. evil, coming of age, power and corruption, survival, prejudice, individual vs. society, or any imaginable combination thereof.
So what’s your story? Want to add a few wrinkles to it? Not the kind on your face, but on your brain. Matilda may have given me a few wrinkles of both kinds, but for our dear reader friends, she reserves ripples and wrinkles for your brain. This summer, we’re viewing constellations made up of every kind of story you can imagine. Our 2019 summer reading theme is “A Universe of Stories!”
Events, activities and prizes for all ages begin June 5. Come to the library and register. It will be quite a spectacle. Last year, we had so much activity, our toilets overflowed. That’s not a story we care to repeat. Fortunately, our big events this summer are at Holy Spirit Church. They are equipped to handle what, at Matilda’s Castle, would be an overflow. We are very grateful to our neighborhood church friends who help us host our summer reading events, and until we can build a south addition, that’s the way it will be.
The Jester Puppets of Des Moines will perform “Space Cadets” 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 12. We loved their show last year, and they are sure to please. All ages are welcome. The show is free, and if you need assistance with a disability to attend, please call David (that’s me) at 641-782-2277. The following Wednesday, June 19, at 10 a.m., please come and help us welcome Kansas City’s Happy Faces, who will put on “Stories to the Stars and Back.” This is their first visit to Creston, but they are highly regarded, so we’re eager to see what they can do. On the final Wednesday in June at 10 a.m., we’re hosting our ever-popular friends from the Blank Park Zoo. That’s always a big hit, and we’re lucky they could fit us into their busy summer schedule.
June isn’t just for kids. Greenfield native Gary Porter will visit the library 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 17, and share stories from his recently published autobiography, “Town Kid.” I have enjoyed getting to know Gary and his wife Melissa, and having peeked at his book – available from Matilda – I can assure you that he’ll deliver a rich and entertaining presentation.
And one more thing, Matilda wants to help you improve your computer and internet skills. She has asked me to begin hosting classes on basic computer skills, office software, searching the internet, digital privacy and security, social media, and library digital resources. Held every month at 3 p.m. on the first Wednesday, sessions will last about a half-hour, leaving time for individual instruction afterwards. The first class, “Basic Computer Skills,” is June 5. Anyone who’d like up to a half-hour of individual help with computer-related matters is welcome to call David (yours truly) at 641-782-2277, and we’ll set up a time to get started.
Adult P.S. – The wine walk is coming ... the wine walk is coming ... and this year there’s also beer! Our second Annual Wine Walk – Creston Uncorked and Uncapped – is from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2. Last year’s event was a smashing success, and we are once again reaching out to businesses and organizations who might like to host a stop. There will be much more to come about this, but for the meantime, we’re on the hunt for our premier sponsor. For $1,000, your business or organization’s logo can be etched on the glasses, and printed boldly on each tote and map that participants will receive.
Again, last year’s event was a great success, and attracted Creston-area supporters who had not previously been drawn into Matilda’s orbit. Our wine walk, cemetery walks and St. Patrick’s Day auction/dinners have proven to be successful fundraisers and rich cultural events. Matilda’s Warriors want her castle to be a long-term community asset, so join the fun and get behind our cause. We’re open year-round, and we’ll never, ever charge admission. And remember, the Creston area deserves a great library and cultural center!