By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette
Memorial Day is just around the corner. Formerly called Decoration Day, it was a day to decorate graves and honor men and women who died in service of our country.
While American Legion members still distribute red poppies and put flags at the graves of American veterans to honor their service to our country, many Americans consider it a day of remembrance for all loved ones who have passed.
For others, Memorial Day signals the start of summer. Backyard BBQs, the end of the school year, and the first boat ride of the season are associated with Memorial Day. Regardless, if you spend the day at a cemetery ceremony to honor our soldiers or at the swimming pool, we at MJB Memorial Library want to remind you that you need to plan ahead for your reading needs as we will be closed on Monday, May 26 in remembrance of our service men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
MJB Library would again like to thank local businesses Guthrie County Quality Meats for donating 15% of the proceeds from the sale of brats in May, Fox Countertops who will match their donation, and Local Liquor who is donating $4 from the sale of each case of Busch Light sold in May to be divided equally among the Guthrie County libraries. Support your local library by shopping local.
The end of May and the month of June is a great time to be a kid at the MJB Library. On Wednesday, May 28, the library is hosting Creation Corner at 3:30 p.m., so kids of all ages are invited to sign up to come make an awesome craft.
During the month of June, the library will be hosting special programs for our Summer Reading Program, Level Up at your Library. Parents can sign up their kids at the library website or by stopping by the library.
The first week of June is especially exciting since the Iowa PBS Stem Trailer will be at our library. Each day for that week, kids will find exciting new STEM games and activities available to challenge their thinking and expand their creativity. Be sure to stop in and try out all the cool toys and games.
On Tuesday, June 2, Summer Reading Kickoff will feature a Magic class beginning at noon. Kids of all ages are invited to attend. Be sure to pre-register for LEGO Mania at 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 4 and Guthrie STEM Lab on Monday, June 9 at 4 p.m.
Fridays during June will also have some special surprises. Our regular preschool story hour will happen on June 6 and June 20, but on June 13, we will have a special guest. Dinosaur lovers of all ages will want to join our Prehistoric Pep Rally with Dinosaur Ranger Anthony, owner of Chomp, Stomp and Roar. Dino Ranger Anthony always has exciting programs with so much information to teach us about our Jurassic dinosaur friends.
Other programs for kids this summer include a trick bubble show, a program with Anne Riordan with the DNR, and Creation Stations. The Guthrie County ISU Extension Office will have programs on Wednesday, June 11 and Wednesday, June 25 at 2 p.m. Our Summer Reading Prize Party will be Friday June 27.
Be sure to sign up for the Summer Reading Program, Level Up at the Library and pre-register for the many activities and workshops at our MJB Library website. If you need a calendar to remember all of the fun events, pick one up at the library or see our website community calendar. Preschool through middle school students are invited to join us for these great reading and learning opportunities.
Don’t worry, though, the library isn’t just for kids. We still have all of our regular adult programs going on, too. Evening book club will meet on Tuesday, May 27 to discuss Clint Hill’s book “My Travels with Mrs. Kennedy.” Hill was the secret service agent who protected Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis while she was in the White House and for quite some time following her departure. His books chronicles the time he spent as her security detail after leaving the White House. We still have copies available to check out if you want to join us.
Friends of the Library have finalized plans for the Friends of the Library Fundraising Golf Outing on Saturday, June 14 at the Guthrie Center Golf Course. This four-person best ball tournament will get started with registration at 8 a.m., followed by a 9 a.m. shotgun start. The $60 per person registration fee includes a cart and lunch. Businesses wishing to sponsor a hole can contact the library or a member of Friends of the Library. Profits raised at this fundraiser will go to pay to upgrade and replace the broken water fountain in the library and to fund the Iowa Adventure Pass which allows our patrons free admission to Blank Park Zoo, The Science Center of Iowa, and the Des Moines Children’s Museum.
Between the Covers afternoon book club which meets again on June 10 at 3 p.m. is reading “The First Lie Wins” by Ashley Elston. This exciting thriller tells Evie Porter’s story. Evie Porter has everything a nice Southern girl could want: a doting boyfriend, a house with a white picket fence, a tight group of friends. The only catch: Evie Porter doesn’t exist. Stop by the library to check out a copy so you’re ready for book club.
Cribbage will continue to meet each Monday from 9-11 a.m., and Bridge Club will meet each Wednesday from 9-11 a.m. Both groups meet in the Taylor Meeting room and welcome newcomers of all skill levels.
Devan Seek presented a workshop about the basics of sourdough bread making in an MJB Library program on Monday, May 12. The group learned step-by-step how to make sourdough bread from starter to bread. Aaryn and Guinevere work intently on building straw cars during the last STEM Lab.
