Berne Library Notes for Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Happy Thanksgiving. The first Thanksgiving meal is attributed to the Native Americans and the Plymouth Colony. The Pilgrims consisted of English Protestants who wanted to break away from the Church of England. Their pursuit of religious liberty lead them to New England.
This year as Thanksgiving ends, Hanukkah begins. The Festival of Lights celebrates a time when Israel regained religious freedom taken away by the Syrians. The fight for freedoms has always been an important part of history.
Book club
If you find yourself quarreling with your children to do their homework, you may pick up some pointers during the Berne Book Club meeting on Sunday, Dec. 1 at the Berne Public Library. The group will be discussing The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. for a lively and perhaps contentious conversation.
Holiday gifts
Both Hanukkah and Christmas have gift giving traditions. If you are a tween or teen who enjoys making your gifts, the beading program on Monday, Dec. 2, from 6:45 to 8 p.m. is for you. Liz LaPorte, a local beader, will demonstrate methods and ideas for making beaded gifts. Laporte and the library will supply the materials needed to make your first take-home project. Don’t miss this free, hands-on fun designed for ages 11 to 18 years old.
Story time
On Tuesday, Dec. 3, story time is sponsored by the letter K for karate. Karate, a Japanese art involving hand and foot techniques, is used for self-defense. Preschool children and their caregivers are invited to join Kathy at 11 a.m. for stories and a karate demonstration. The craft activity this week will be making hats to wear in the town of Berne holiday parade. The parade from the Berne-Knox-Westerlo school to the Berne Masonic Lodge takes place on Sunday, Dec. 8, at 2 p.m.
Meeting canceled
The Friends of the Berne Library will not be meeting in December. The next scheduled meeting is Wednesday, Jan. 8, at 7:30 p.m.
Historical program
Our local history is ripe with stories of fighting for our rights. Where do you go to find information on local families and past events? Attend the program, Hilltown History At Your Fingertips, on Thursday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. Historians, authors, and librarians will gather at the library to share their best local resources, including Harold Miller’s new book Berne and Knox: Our German Heritage. If you are looking for gift ideas, many of these resources will be for sale after the program.
Teens meet
Teens are invited to the library on Friday, Dec. 6, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Enjoy the freedom of using the building when the library is closed. Compete with other teens in video games, try creating black out poetry, discuss ways that the library can serve your needs, and enjoy free refreshments. Bring a friend.
As we reflect on Dec. 7, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, remember and honor all those who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor and fought for our freedoms in WWII.